How to Properly Set a Thermostatic Head for Maximum Energy Savings

The heating season is approaching, and with it comes a period when many households unnecessarily spend money due to inefficient heating regulation. If you have radiators at home, take a look at the overview of principles that will help you save significantly this year.

How Much Can You Save with Efficient Heating Regulation?

Regardless of whether you have central heating or your own heat source, you can save up to a quarter of costs through efficient radiator regulation, without losing comfort. How is this possible?

The key is to set the right temperatures for each room throughout the day and to avoid common mistakes that lead to unnecessary waste. By following a few simple rules, you can reduce the average temperature in your home by up to 3 °C, while maintaining the comfortable and desired temperatures. Each degree represents up to 8% energy savings.

How Does a Thermostatic Head Work?

Thermostatic heads on radiators are much smarter than you might think. They regulate the heating output not only according to the degree you set but also according to the current room temperature, which they constantly measure. Based on this input data, they regulate the flow of heating water into the radiators using a valve. For example, if the interior warms up due to direct sunlight, the head automatically reduces the heating output and prevents overheating.

If the temperature in the interior increases, for example, due to cooking, the thermostatic head automatically reduces the radiator's output

Due to a lack of understanding of this basic principle of thermostatic head operation, frequent mistakes and unnecessary waste occur.

4 Most Common Mistakes in Radiator Regulation

Covering the head with curtains or furniture prevents the head from effectively measuring the room temperature, and thus it cannot properly regulate the heating.
Turning the head to the highest setting will not heat the room faster, only increase costs. The head detects a temperature drop on its own and reacts automatically, so you don't need to change the set degree. Changing the setting will lead to unnecessary overheating.
For the same reason, it is not advisable to frequently change the thermostatic head setting based on feeling. The interior temperature naturally fluctuates due to weather, cooking, etc. The heads are designed to maintain a stable, chosen temperature. Changing the settings will not solve temperature fluctuations; instead, the temperature will fluctuate more.
However, when ventilating, it is necessary to close the head. If left open, it would measure very low temperatures and abruptly increase the radiator's output.

Tip: Especially small children often turn the heads, leading to waste. You can prevent this by purchasing a head with a child lock or temperature setting lock.

Recommended Temperatures in the Home

For high comfort and cost reduction, it is important to set different temperatures in each room. On manual thermostatic heads, temperatures are set on a scale, with each manufacturer having a different temperature range for each degree. Therefore, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the instructions for your heads.

It is also important to change temperatures during the day and at night. However, temperature differences should not exceed 2-3 °C. Heating a cooled room is much more energy-intensive than maintaining a higher temperature. For the same reason, do not turn off the heating during longer absences.

So, what are the ideal temperatures during the day and night? For a family that is away from home during the day, the heating program might look like this:

Room	Daytime Temperature	Night Temperature	Note
Living Room	20–22 °C	17–18 °C	The living room is a place for relaxation, so it should have a comfortable room temperature.
Bedroom / Children's Room	17–18 °C	17–18 °C	In bedrooms and children's rooms, it is not necessary to increase the temperature at night, as the optimal temperature for healthy sleep should not exceed 18 °C.
Kitchen	18–20 °C	17–18 °C	The kitchen is a workspace, and cooking generates additional heat.
Bathroom	23–24 °C	17–18 °C	To achieve thermal comfort after a shower, it is recommended to heat the bathroom to higher temperatures, which also reduce humidity.
Hallway, Staircase	15–17 °C	15–17 °C	These areas only need to be tempered year-round.

Tip: After the heating season, set all heads to the highest setting. This ensures that the valves do not get stuck in the closed position during the summer.

When Are Digital Thermostatic Heads for Radiators Worth It?

In addition to manual thermostatic heads, which are operated by turning, digital ones are also available on the market. What are their advantages?

On a digital thermostatic head, you can set the temperature much more precisely (up to 0.5 °C accuracy).
You can program a weekly heating schedule for each radiator, so you don't have to constantly change the thermostatic head setting.
Wifi thermostatic heads can be controlled remotely using a mobile app.
Individual brands offer advanced features, such as open window detection or holiday mode.

Digital thermostatic head Danfoss

The price of digital thermostatic heads for radiators is not high, yet they can significantly contribute to savings and thermal comfort in the home. The return on this investment is approximately 1-2 years.

Programmable thermostatic heads are compatible with both remote and local heating. This solution is particularly advantageous for larger apartments and houses, where you will appreciate the ability to centrally set and monitor temperatures for all rooms. They are also an ideal choice for households with a central thermostat, where they provide efficient zonal regulation.

Quality manual and smart thermostatic heads are offered by brands such as Danfoss, Honeywell, or Siemens. If you are unsure about choosing a specific model or setting thermostatic heads, contact us. Our experts in energy-efficient heating will be happy to provide you with free professional advice.