Whether you live in an old apartment or a newly built house, you are most likely concerned about your energy consumption and the bills that come with it. The difference between a home that maintains heat and one in which the temperatures drop immediately after you turn off the boiler is not only given by how old the appliance is, but also by the way its elements are configured: windows, doors, external walls, installations, but above all the habits of the tenants. Most of the time, people assume that expensive renovations are the only solution to reduce consumption, but the reality is much more nuanced. A good part of the energy losses can be identified, understood and reduced by small steps without structural interventions.
You can find concrete information about this on SHIFT Hub, an ING platform developed together with InfoClima and ECONOS, where you can find out concrete information on how to reduce your consumption intelligently, whether you are doing it for sustainability or just to lower your bill. Inspired by the information there, we made a short guide on how to tell if your home is losing energy.
The areas in the house that most easily let energy escape
Photo by Saad Ahmad via Unsplash
The first sign that your home is losing energy is temperature instability. I know it seems counterintuitive, but thermal energy is just as important as electricity, and you will clearly feel it in your bills, especially starting this month. If the room cools down quickly after the heat source is turned off, if different corners of the room have different temperatures, or if you feel a cold draft when you are close to doors and windows, there is an efficiency problem. An indoor thermometer can confirm your observations: differences of a few degrees between different areas of the same room are often associated with losses through joinery or insufficient insulation.
Windows are usually the main place where energy is lost. Old ones with warped frames or single glazing allow for much faster heat transfer, but even modern windows can have problems if they are not fitted correctly or if the seals have deteriorated. A simple test that anyone can do is the palm test. If you touch the window frame in the dead of winter and it feels cold, you have a clear indication that there is a thermal bridge. Excessive condensation on the interior, especially in the morning, is another sign that the window is no longer working properly. Also near the windows, you can detect air currents through a test with a sheet of paper: if the sheet flutters near the frame, there are infiltrations. Another method is the candle or scented stick test: if the flame or smoke moves near a window, door or outlet, it means there is electricity.
Second, there's the light test: at night, you shine a flashlight on the outside of the window and see if the light gets inside through the edges.
For very old windows, an insulating film applied to the inside can create an additional layer of air that limits the transfer of temperature. Thick curtains or drapes are not only decorative elements, but also barriers that keep the heat inside. During the night, closing the curtains reduces the loss, while during the day the sun hitting the windows can bring you a little extra warmth.
Doors leading to the exterior or uninsulated balconies are another critical area. Even differences of a few millimeters between the door and the frame can allow cold air to pass through. A simple trick is to use sealing tape, which is applied in minutes and immediately reduces currents. You can find it at any DIY store. Sure, it doesn't look great, but at least you don't get cold in the winter. Older interior doors can also create temperature differences between rooms, especially if there is an insufficiently insulated door between the living room and the balcony.
Exterior walls are the third important category. Old blocks, built before the 1990s, often have low efficiency due to the materials used, thermal bridges and lack of additional insulation. A common sign is the wall feeling cold to the touch, especially in the corners. Where the surface temperature is lower than the rest of the room, the air cools and descends, forming drafts that are almost imperceptible, but strong enough to require additional heating consumption.
Your habits in the home are just as problematic as the flaws in the home itself when it comes to energy
In many homes, the losses come not only from the construction, but also from the behavior of the tenants. The habit of keeping the window ajar for long periods, especially in winter, produces a continuous cooling of the room. Ventilation is necessary, but it must be done quickly, with the window wide open for a few minutes, not hours. Another costly habit is to keep the temperature constantly high. Many heat the home at 24 degrees, which leads to a disproportionate consumption compared to real comfort. Specialists recommend 20–21 degrees for living rooms and a slightly lower temperature for the bedroom.
Untended appliances and electronics left plugged in also increase your consumption
Photo by Zaky Sigit via Unsplash
Another source of loss comes from household appliances. Old refrigerators and freezers can consume significantly more than modern ones. A refrigerator placed too close to the wall, with no ventilation space, can work continuously at a high level of consumption. Vacuum cleaners with dirty filters, uncleaned air conditioners and clogged ventilation systems also increase consumption, because their motors will run at full speed to compensate.
Another simple step is to eliminate standby consumption. TVs, consoles, smart speakers and various chargers continue to draw power even when they don't seem active. An effective solution is to use an extension cord with a switch for the media area or for the home office.
In addition to immediate actions, it is useful to make a routine. Twice a year, do an overall assessment and see what worked, what didn't, if it impacted the bill. You don't need technical knowledge, just consistency.
Not all of us can afford to do renovations, but absolutely any space allows us to take small steps with a significant impact on sustainability. If you understand where energy is lost and what you can adjust without major investments, you can transform your home into a more comfortable, economical and predictable space.
SHIFT Hub is the ING platform that translates your energy efficiency into simple steps for your home. You'll find articles, guides, videos and case studies made together with InfoClima and ECONOS, to understand energy labels, order your priorities and make informed decisions, without unrealistic promises – only immediately applicable solutions.
Article supported by ING Bank
