Photo By Tech. Sgt. Kirsten Brandes | This graphic was created to accompany an article on radiator use and base heating...... read more read more
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RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- Moving to Germany often means navigating a host of cultural differences: the language, the food, the currency. During the winter months, it also means saying goodbye to central heating systems, and hello to good, old-fashioned radiators.
The majority of Europe relies on radiators as a low maintenance, energy-efficient way to heat their homes. But with heating costs for Ramstein Air Base topping out at roughly $45,000 per day during the colder months, it’s clear that we all need to evaluate how we’re using our radiators, and how to use them effectively to maximize warmth while keeping energy use low.
Luckily, the experts at the 86th Civil Engineer Squadron provided some tips on how to use your radiator like a local.
1. Radiator dials control room temperature
This first mistake a lot of us make with radiators is cranking the radiator dial to five and then venting out excess heat by opening the windows. This is a huge waste of energy, according to Peter Best, an 86th CES industrial engineer.
“You cannot regulate the temperature with the windows,” Best said. “Some people will leave the radiator on five, and then say ‘Oh, it’s too warm’ and open the window – that’s energy waste, and not how radiators are supposed to work.”
Each of the five settings on the radiator dial correspond with a desired room temperature, telling the radiator to open the valve to heat the room when the temperature falls and close it when the room returns to the desired temperature.
At five, the radiator will work to keep the room at roughly 82 degrees Fahrenheit - a full 10 degrees above room temperature. Inevitably, when the room becomes too hot and the windows are opened, the radiator has to work even harder to compensate for the heat loss.
Leaving your radiator on the “3” or “4” setting will generate a comfortable room temperature of 68 - 72 degrees Fahrenheit, without the energy waste.
2. Radiators are zone heaters
Unlike central heating systems, radiators are meant to heat humans instead of homes. That means rooms that don’t see as much traffic can be left at the “1” or “2” setting, whereas bedrooms, kitchens, and living rooms, when in use, should be where the radiators are set higher.
Bathrooms are a special circumstance, admitted Markus Schaaff, 86th CES utilities engineer.
“I usually leave the bathroom on the “3.5” or “4” (setting), because if you want to go in and take a shower, 68 degrees is pretty cold,” Schaaff said.
It’s important to arrange your room to maximize your radiator’s potential.
“Don’t cover or block the radiators,” said Luis Saldivar, 86th CES energy manager. “You can also close the blinds for better insulation, to trap the heat.”
3. Open, don’t tilt
While windows shouldn’t be used to vent out excess heat, it’s crucial to ventilate and replace the air in the home at least once a day. In Germany, this practice is so commonplace they have a verb for it.
“In German, there is a word – durchlüften – that means push ventilation.” Best said. “You open the windows completely, allow the air to circulate, and then you shut the windows. That’s it.”
Three to eight minutes is all this process should take. Anymore, and there’s a risk losing the heat built up inside.
“You want to completely exchange the air from the inside with air from the outside,” Schaaff said. “If you have the windows open for a longer time, then the walls, which store the heat, cool down and you need more energy to heat them up again.”
Merely tilting the windows isn’t enough for durchlüften, Schaaff added. It may actually make the problem worse.
“A tilt is very bad because the air replacement needs much more time, and the wall is cooling,” Schaaff said. “You can get water condensation on the wall on top of the window which can lead to mold. Fully opening the windows is the best practice for air circulation.”
These ideas are just as applicable to the office as they are to the home. We all want to work in a warm environment, but at the end of the day, let the radiators clock out with the personnel and set them to one or two.
With a couple more months of winter ahead, make sure you’re heating efficiently. If you have any questions, you can reach out to the 86th CES at DSN 480-3723.
| Date Taken: | 01.31.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 01.31.2020 09:37 |
| Story ID: | 361248 |
| Location: | RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, RHEINLAND-PFALZ, DE |
| Web Views: | 318 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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