The cold spring weather has got many people thinking about heating and indoor temperatures. Homes can obviously be slightly cooler in the wintertime, but sometimes a fault report is in order if your apartment is simply too cold.
But how does one know if the apartment temperature is within the normal range? We have compiled some answers to the most frequently asked questions about heating and apartment temperatures below.
How do I know if my apartment is too cold?
The target temperature of our apartments is +21 degrees Celsius. Although people’s experiences of indoor heating may vary, this target temperature is based on the housing health decree and takes into consideration the comfort of living, health guidelines and energy efficiency.
The temperature of our apartments is regulated by building automation that monitors the outdoor temperature and adjusts the water circulating in the radiators, aiming at a target indoor temperature of +19–21 degrees Celsius when the thermostat is in the “maximum” position.
If you suspect that the temperature of your apartment has repeatedly or for a long time been clearly below the recommended value (19–22 degrees Celsius in the heating period), you can pick up a thermometer at the housing office to verify the issue. The indoor temperature of an apartment should be measured at a height of 1.1 metres and at a minimum distance of 0.6 metres from the wall. If your indoor temperature is verifiably too low, you should file a fault report via the tenant pages.
Am I allowed to get my own heater for the apartment?
The use of supplementary heaters is not recommended. In the worst case, it can mess up the normal heating system of the housing location. Using a supplementary heater can cause the heating system to detect a higher indoor temperature than the target temperature and to stop the normal heating of the apartment.
For this reason, you should not get your own supplementary heater even if you think your apartment is too cold. Instead, measure the indoor temperature of your apartment following our instructions and, if needed, file a fault report on an excessively low indoor temperature.
How should I set the window air exchange valves in winter?
Do your window frames have ventilation valves with small clips? Those are replacement air vents that should be set on the summer or winter position based on the current season. In winter, one of the vent openings should be closed and one should be open. Do not fully close or block the vent even in wintertime, as this may mess up the air exchange system.
Some apartments may also have different replacement air vent models that operate in slightly different ways. However, the basic principle is always the same: the vents are kept fully open in summer and at least partially open in winter.
How do I know if my radiator is functioning properly?
The surest way to deteriorate the functioning of your radiators is to pile up large pieces of furniture or thick curtains in front of them. This can distort what the radiator detects and prevent the access of heat to the indoor air.
If the radiator has plenty of free space around but still does not feel warm, ensure that the thermostat has been set on the “maximum” position. After all this, if the radiators are still not working, file a fault report on the matter via the tenant pages. You should never, under any conditions, try to repair the radiator yourself.
Can I use the oven to make the apartment warmer?
This question may sound strange, but we actually sometimes hear people talking about heating the apartment with the oven. This is not only extremely energy-inefficient but also poses a fire hazard. If the oven door is kept open while the oven is on, its outer surfaces and knobs can be damaged by the heat. If a tenant’s oven is damaged due to misuse, the tenant may be held liable for compensating the damages. So in short: don’t do it.
