Are You Already Heating Up? Save Your Refrigerator, Furniture, and Flowers. We'll Show You How

Test heat supply to apartments has already started: in some places it's been turned on, in others it will be turned on soon — depending on the climatic zone. Usually this happens when both night and day temperatures outdoors are no more than eight degrees. Thoughts about optimizing heating bills and what needs to change fundamentally we'll leave for next summer — that's a topic for a separate conversation. For now, here's a checklist: what else you can and should do before the season starts.

Air, Plants, Pets

Air humidityto 25–30% decreases with working radiators45–55% optimal for us and all living things

Way out — additional humidification where necessary. For yourself and children, better to take care of a vaporizer: ultrasonic is good in a home without pets, as this frequency, inaudible to us, irritates them. Alternative — steam humidifier, but it consumes more electricity. You can also set up a steam generator or multifunctional vacuum cleaner with steam cleaning for periodic cleaning.

Houseplants on windowsills, where radiators are usually located, sort and shift. In areas of higher heat, keep climate-dry plants: succulents, citrus, lavender. A common tray for more frequent watering and humidifying of several plants at once serves as an additional safety net for the windowsill. Even a small standalone ceramic or glass vessel, filled with water daily, changes the microclimate and aromatherapy lovers can add a drop or two of essential oils.

For dogs and cats, ensure access to clean drinking water in sufficient quantities. Dirt after walks in cold months is enough, so washing paws and more frequent damp cleaning of floors is a plus. Aquariums with fish and aquatic fauna work on humidifying themselves, just monitor the liquid level.

Furniture, Wooden Finishings, Parquet

Minimum and maximum50centimeters from radiator to any furniture25degrees is the temperature limit comfortable for us and safe for furniture

Naturally sensitive to constant heat are natural wood and leather. But fiberboards also emit undesirable impurities into the air when heated. Plastic is better used only in bathrooms where humidity reaches 60 percent.

In an ideal case, there should be at least one meter between any interior item and the radiator: this way heat doesn't accumulate in a trap between furniture and radiator, circulating freely. And we, sitting on a sofa or armchair, don't suffer from cardiovascular system overload and loss of productivity.

Natural parquet, wooden decorative elements and furniture, if they allow finishing, should be treated with protective compositions ahead of time so that they have time to absorb. Then during cleaning, use products with natural wax. Leather upholstery requires more frequent care, simultaneously cleaning and humidifying.

If space allows, rearrange furniture in cold months. Remember seasonal storage services for furniture and bulky items or dispose of old furniture you've wanted to get rid of for a long time: such services are also available. If it's impossible to move furniture or part with it, provide a heat-reflective screen on the side facing the radiator.

...And Guitar, and Piano

Musical instruments in every fiber resist overheating and can lose their tone. Added to wood fiber degradation is deformation from physical string tension. But unlike guitar, piano or organ cannot be stored in a special case with moisture regulation.

Move the musical instrument away from the radiator as far as possible. It's better if in a room for regular lessons, temperature does not exceed 18–20 degrees: this is healthier for you and children. For example, in corner rooms of apartment buildings, such heating is regulated by norms.

Putting a water container in the piano case is not the best idea, any tuner will tell you that, although such advice can be found online.

Kitchen

Even if every centimeter matters, try to avoid placing refrigerator near the radiator. Energy-intensive and generating heat while operating, the refrigerator fails faster from additional heating. The same applies to microwave ovens, though less critically.

In any case, the refrigerator should not face the heating unit radiator on the back wall. Better — sideways, with preliminary application of heat-reflective protection. Leave at least ten centimeters for air circulation. Adjust the radiator to minimum or, if it's impossible to control heat delivery, close with a screen.

Heating normsfrom 18 to 26degrees in the kitchen, where much equipment generates heatfrom 12 to 22degrees in the pantry

Heating services provided by housing management are considered fully rendered if these standards are met (they are adjusted depending on climate, temperature fluctuations outdoors, and even time of day): otherwise you can insist on a recalculation of heating bills.

Bathroom

Here, radiators and towel warmers can be installed. In conditions of inevitably elevated humidity, special requirements apply to these devices regarding resistance to aggressive environments, so check the equipment carefully before heat supply is turned on, especially if it's not too modern.

What to pay attention to? If limescale forms at pipe joints during summer, it's better to inspect such problem areas by calling a specialist before heat supply is turned on.

If radiators are equipped with simple shut-off valves or more complex thermostatic regulators, remember that during the period between the end of the previous heating season and the beginning of system filling, controlling elements should be turned at least once a month to prevent them from seizing. By the way, this advice applies to any room in the house.

Don't hide radiators behind panels that can't be quickly removed or opened like a door — it's safer and more convenient for periodic inspection.

Bedroom

Optimal2meters from radiator to bedfrom 18 to 24degrees in the room, and in a corner — at least 20 degrees

Where we sleep, choosing a comfortable environment is doubly critical. Not enough heat? Moisture will appear on walls and, over time, mold that sometimes isn't visible under furniture. Too hot? Skin and mucous membranes dry out, dust increases, and there won't be enough oxygen. Farewell to healthy sleep that restores energy.

Modern central heating units equipped with temperature regulators or shut-off valves allow solving temperature fluctuation problems quickly and efficiently — of course, provided the heating system in the house works properly. Otherwise, the management company should respond promptly to your request.

But cast iron radiators, which are generally excellent in terms of heat storage and release, don't have regulators. What to do? Move to the next point.

To Hide or Not To Hide?

Screenreduces heat output by 20% from radiatorless than 20sq. m in the room — otherwise, heating will be insufficient

Use this to deal with regular over-heating of the room. Or block the flow of overly warm air with a dense curtain.

Shields, boxes, and panels hiding radiators are also used for aesthetics: either independently or combined with built-in furniture. Examples? A warm and cozy sofa-bed on a wide low windowsill. A complex-shaped countertop in the kitchen or a desk by the window. Built-in wardrobes or a combination of open shelves.

Remember two simple rules: ensure quick access to the radiator in case of problems and avoid heat loss in spacious rooms. When rooms are large, there's temptation to install more powerful radiators, hiding them from view, but changing project parameters of heating units is generally forbidden.

Cleaning and Care Before Heat Supply

The radiator not only emits heat: you can feel it by touching or just extending your hand towards it. Heated air causes convection, rising higher, and along with it, accumulated dust flies up.

Before the season, it's most effective to clean every centimeter even in hard-to-reach places with a steam generator, cleaning vacuum cleaner, or spray with cleaning solution — but only if floors and walls won't suffer from excess moisture. For dry cleaning, narrow gap attachments for vacuum cleaners are more useful than cloths.

During cleaning, don't hesitate to visually inspect and physically feel the joints of radiators with pipes and shut-off hardware, check the integrity of paint and possible color changes: maybe you missed micro-leaks? You might still have time to call a specialist and avoid complications during the season.