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

Heating has already begun in some apartments: 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 the temperature outdoors is no more than 8 degrees both at night and during the day. Thoughts about how to optimize heating bills and what needs to be changed fundamentally we'll leave for next summer — that's a topic for another conversation. For now, here is a checklist of what else you can and should do before the heating season starts.

Air, Plants, Pets

Air Humidityup to 25–30%decreases when radiators are working45–55%optimal for us and all living things

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

Houseplants on windowsills, where radiators are often located, should be sorted and moved. In the area 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 additional insurance for the windowsill. Even a small standalone ceramic or glass vessel, filled with water daily, changes the microclimate and those who love aromatherapy can add a few drops of essential oils to it.

For cats and dogs, ensure access to clean drinking water in sufficient quantity. Dirt after walks in cold months is abundant, so washing paws and more frequent wet cleaning of floors is a plus. Aquariums with fish and aquatic fauna naturally humidify the air, just make sure to monitor the liquid level.

Furniture, Wooden Finishing, Parquet

Minimum and Maximum50centimetersfrom radiator to any furniture25degreestemperature limit that is comfortable for us and safe for furniture

Natural wood and leather are especially sensitive to constant heating. Fiberboard also emits unwanted impurities into the air when heated. Plastic should only be used in bathrooms, where humidity reaches 60 percent.

In an ideal case, there should be at least one meter between any piece of furniture and the radiator so that heat doesn’t accumulate in a trap between furniture and radiator, circulating freely. When sitting on a sofa or chair, we don’t suffer from cardiovascular system overload and reduced work capacity.

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

If space allows, rearrange furniture during cold months. Remember about seasonal storage services for furniture and bulky items or dispose of old furniture you’ve wanted to get rid of: these services are also available. If it's impossible to move furniture or part with it, place a thermal reflector screen on the side facing the radiator.

...And Guitar, and Piano

Musical instruments resist overheating and can lose their sound. The process of fiber degradation in wood is added to deformation from the physical tension of strings. However, unlike a guitar, a 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. Ideally, in a room for regular practice, the temperature should not exceed 18–20 degrees Celsius: it's better for you and your children. For example, in corner rooms of multi-apartment buildings, this is the standard heating norm.

Putting a water container in the piano case is not the best idea, as any tuner will tell you, although such advice appears online.

Kitchen

Even if every centimeter is critical, try to avoid placing the refrigerator too close to the radiator. Energy-intensive and heat-generating during operation, the refrigerator is more prone to failure from additional heating. The same applies to a microwave oven, although less critically.

In any case, the refrigerator should not face the heating radiator on the back wall. It's better to place it sideways, with preliminary application of thermal reflector protection. Leave at least ten centimeters for air circulation. Adjust the radiator to minimum or, if it's impossible to control heat flow, cover it with a screen.

Heating Normsfrom 18 to 26degrees Celsiusin the kitchen, where there is a lot of equipment that generates heatfrom 12 to 22degrees Celsiusin the pantry

The heating service provided by housing management is considered fully completed if these norms are maintained (they vary 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 high humidity, these require additional requirements for resistance to aggressive environments, so check the equipment carefully before heat supply is turned on, especially if it’s not very modern.

What to look for? If a lime scale has formed at pipe joints in summer, it’s better to inspect these problematic zones by calling a specialist before heat supply is turned on.

If the 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, these control elements should be rotated at least once a month to prevent them from seizing up. This tip also 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

Optimal2metersfrom radiator to bedfrom 18 to 24degrees Celsiusin the room, and in a corner room – at least 20 degrees Celsius

Where we sleep, choosing a comfortable environment is twice as critical. Not enough heat? Moisture will appear on the walls, and over time mold may grow, sometimes not visible right away 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 systems with temperature regulators or shut-off valves allow solving problems with temperature fluctuations quickly and efficiently — of course, provided the heating system in your house is functioning properly. Otherwise, the management company should respond promptly to your request.

However, cast iron radiators — which are good in terms of heat retention 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%if the room is less than 20 square meters — 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 thick curtain.

Shields, boxes, and panels that hide radiators are also used for aesthetics: either independently or combined with built-in furniture. Examples? A warm and cozy bench on a wide low windowsill. A complex-shaped countertop in the kitchen or workspace near a 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 the design parameters of heating equipment is forbidden.

Housekeeping and Care Before Heat Supply

The radiator not only emits heat: you can feel it by touching or just stretching your hand toward it. The heated air causes convection, rising higher, and along with it goes the accumulated dust.

Before the season, the most effective way to clean every centimeter even in hard-to-reach places is with a steam generator, a cleaning vacuum cleaner, or a spray bottle with cleaning solution — but only if floors and walls won’t suffer from excess moisture. For dry cleaning, there are narrow gap attachments for vacuum cleaners; cloths won’t help much here.

During cleaning, don’t be lazy to visually inspect and physically touch the joints between radiators and pipes and shut-off fittings, check for paint integrity and possible color changes: maybe you missed micro-leaks? Perhaps you still have time to call a specialist and avoid complications during the season.