The secret to economical heating in the winter season lies in insulation and conscious consumption.

The drop in air temperatures and the winter season making itself felt brings to mind the question of which is the most economical heating method in homes. Prof. Dr. Arif Hepbaşlı, a faculty member of the Energy Systems Engineering Department at Yaşar University, emphasized that before deciding which source to use, such as natural gas or electricity, insulation, conscious consumption, and energy efficiency are the most significant methods for saving on heating expenses and are reliable sources.

"INSULATION MUST BE PRIORITIZED"

Prof. Dr. Arif Hepbaşlı, who is among the world's and our country's distinguished scientists in the field of energy, reminded that Turkey spends 10 billion dollars annually due to its dependence on foreign energy. Hepbaşlı emphasized that our habits must change for energy savings, stating that insulation must be prioritized in homes to achieve heat savings, regardless of the type of fuel used, whether it is electricity, natural gas, or coal.

UP TO 30% SAVINGS POSSIBLE WITH CONSCIOUS USAGE

Prof. Dr. Arif Hepbaşlı stated, "In our country, approximately 40% of energy is used in homes, and 85% of that goes to heating and cooling expenses. We consume twice the energy in uninsulated buildings compared to insulated ones when heating and cooling. The cleanest, cheapest, domestic, and national energy is energy that is not wasted and is used efficiently. By paying attention to very small details, giving up some habits, insulating our buildings, and using the right devices, it is possible to achieve significant savings. Environmentally friendly devices with low fuel or electricity consumption, high efficiency, and low emissions should be preferred. Devices should have energy-saving features, and those with the least fuel consumption per hour should be chosen. Calculations show that if we give the necessary importance to all these, we can save at least 20-30% on our energy expenses," he said.

CLIMATE PROVIDES TWO-THIRDS SAVINGS COMPARED TO ELECTRIC HEATERS

Prof. Dr. Arif Hepbaşlı emphasized that heating with electric devices is often preferred in some regions due to its ease, even if it is not economical for citizens. He stated, "Heaters known as electric stoves provide a maximum of 1 kWh of energy to the heated area for every 1 kW of electrical power used in one hour. The use of these devices is not good for our budget or energy efficiency. If heating is preferred with air conditioners or heat pumps, you must check the COP value of the device you will purchase, which we call the coefficient of performance. The COP value indicates how many units of heat value a device produces with one unit of energy. In A-class air conditioners, the COP value is 3.60 or higher. This means your air conditioner will consume less electricity and provide more heating. Compared to A-class air conditioners, electric heaters will need about three times more electrical energy to obtain the same amount of heat energy. Although air conditioning may seem expensive at first, considering the bill you will pay, it will amortize itself over time compared to electric heaters, and it is important for energy efficiency in our country, where a large portion of electricity is produced from imported sources," he said.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HEAT SAVINGS

* The building should be insulated, and the walls should be insulated; the roof should be insulated appropriately.

* Radiators in hallways, corridors, stairwells, basements, and unused rooms should be canceled, and a room thermostat should be used, or thermostatic valves should be installed on each radiator to adjust to the appropriate temperature.

* Furniture such as tables, chairs, and beds should be kept away from exterior walls.

* South-facing windows should allow sunlight to enter during the day.

* At night, homes that warm up during the day should be humidified by 50-55%. Because humid air retains heat better, evaporation will decrease, and the body will lose less heat.

* Windows should be double-glazed and insulated. The airtightness of windows and doors should be checked.

* Heat radiated from radiators through convection and radiation heats the wall behind the radiator. To prevent heat loss to the outside, aluminum foil-covered insulation boards should be placed.

* Hot water pipes passing through unheated areas should be insulated.

* Annual maintenance of boilers, air conditioners, radiators, and heating centers should be carried out.

* In floor heating and central boilers, the insulation of the device should be good, and the selection of materials should be done by engineering offices and authorized service-technical experts.