How to save on heat (and prepare for new emission allowances)

Heating bills are rising, and from 2027 the system of emission allowances for buildings and road transport (ETS2) is to start operating in the EU. This will apply to fuel suppliers, who will reflect the costs in the prices. Households do not buy allowances, but they will feel the impact in the price of gas, coal or heating oil. Současně vzniká Sociální klimatický fond určený k cílené pomoci zranitelným domácnostem s úsporami energie a přechodem na čistší zdroje tepla.

The good news: the largest part of the bill affects the very operation of the building and the behavior of the users. Below are measures from fastest to investment.

What most determines the amount of the bill today

• Heat source and fuel (CZT, gas, electricity, solid fuels, biomass).

• Building envelope quality (insulation, windows, roofs, thermal bridges).

• Regulation and hydraulics (system balancing, equithermal curve, state of thermostatic valves).

• Operating habits (ventilation, shading, temperature setting).

Immediate action without investment

1. Reduce the room temperature by 1 °C. In practice, this means roughly 5-6% heat savings.

2. Ventilate briefly and intensively. Microventilation unnecessarily cools the structure.

3. Release the radiators. Without curtains and furniture in front of the bodies, regularly clean the dust from the ribs.

4. Bleed the system. Unevenly warm radiators increase consumption.

5. Close the doors to unheated areas and check the seals.

Note from practice: At regular apartment building cleaning we often encounter entrance doors that are permanently ajar, self-closers that are blocked or dust that has settled on radiators in common areas. These apparent little things increase heat loss and heating costs.

Low cost, quick payback

• Self-adhesive window and door seals, brushes for bottom edges.

• Reflective film behind the radiators on the perimeter walls.

• Programmable thermostat (at own boiler) a TRV smart heads.

• Equithermal curve adjustment at the transfer station/CZT: unnecessarily high curve = overpayment.

Medium investment

• Hydraulic balancing of the system + TRV replacement/overhaul - uniform temperatures, fewer complaints, lower consumption.

• Heat source service (boiler, heat pump): correct combustion, flow rates, filters.

• Insulation of the soil ceiling (at RD) - often the best first step.

• Vestibule and thermal curtains in BD - significantly reduces drafts.

More savings

• Comprehensive insulation a quality windows, possibly controlled ventilation with recuperation.

• Transition to low-emission sources (more efficient CZT, heat pump, etc.).

• Photothermal/photovoltaics for preparing hot water or covering part of the electricity consumption.

ETS2 and the Social Climate Fund in brief

• Who is directly affected by ETS2: suppliers of fuel for buildings and transport (so-called "upstream" regulation).

• Impact on households: the carbon component in the fuel price will highlight the importance of savings and the transition to cleaner sources.

• Social Climate Fund (2026-2032): targeted support for vulnerable households - for energy savings, modernization of heating and accompanying measures.

• Possible postponement: in case of exceptionally high energy prices, the start can be postponed to 2028.

Heat billing in apartment buildings - what to watch

Newer rules take more into account the energy demand of the house and the location of the apartments and strengthen the motivational component of consumption. For home administrations and SVJ, this means:

• Perform system balancing and unify the functionality of the TRV.

• Adjust the equiterm and set reasonable night attenuations.

• Agree on ventilation rules and minimum temperatures in common areas.

• Ensure regular cleaning and maintenance of common parts (clean radiators, grilles, entrance spaces) - reduces losses and failure rate. The request and organization of services are available in the section apartment building cleaning.

Winter checklist

• Living rooms 20-21 °C, bedrooms 17-19 °C, corridors 15-17 °C.

• Ventilate for 3-7 minutes with a draft, then close the windows.

• Bleeding and pressure control of the system.

• Loosen and clean the radiators, or add reflective films.

• Check window and door seals, self-closer settings.

• Annual service of the heat source and control of the heating curve.

• In the apartment building, agree on night attenuation and informational minimum temperatures.

Twelve month savings plan

1. Diagnostics (month 1-2): readings, comparison with previous years, seal check, TRV condition.

2. Quick measures (month 3-4): gaskets, thermostats/TRV, curve adjustment, cleaning around bodies.

3. Intermediate steps (months 5-8): balancing of the system, service of the source, insulation of the ceiling of the soil.

4. Strategy (month 9-12): decision on major renovation or change of source, preparation for subsidy programs.

Conclusion

Energy prices cannot be fully influenced, but consumption can be. The combination of adequate temperatures, proper ventilation, technical adjustment of the system and gradual investments brings stable and measurable savings. In apartment buildings, discipline in common areas and their regular maintenance and cleaning play a big role - clean, functional spaces reduce heat loss and the rate of breakdowns. The necessary organization and assistance with securing the service is available in the section apartment building cleaning.