The cost of living has become one of the hot topics in the public discourse, when there is almost no area where a price increase is not reported. One of the biggest expenses in running a household is electricity consumption, so the winter season is the most significant and understanding the different heating options can translate into big savings.
According to the data of the electric company, the winter season is considered the peak period in consumption, especially in the months of December-February, during which it is possible to reach an increase of tens of percent or more in the monthly electricity bill. True, as the song says “This is not Europe” even in the height of winter, there are quite a few days when warm clothing eliminates the need for heating, yet even the relatively mild Israeli winter brings with it some cold days (and especially nights).
Do the math
How is this manifested economically? The electricity rate is calculated according to a payment of 50 shekels per kilowatt per hour, depending on the amount of consumption, when running an air conditioner in a small room costs an average of 0.4 shekels per hour, running a large air conditioner costs an average of 0.8 shekels per hour, and the cost of running a mini-central air conditioner can also reach to NIS 1.7 per hour on average.
- Happy Holiday of Lights: these are the times for lighting the fourth candle of Hanukkah
The operating cost differs from device to device: the operating cost of a spiral oven reaches about NIS 1 per hour, and the hourly cost of a radiator will reach NIS 1.4 – and this is even before the expected increase in electricity prices, which is just around the corner, already this January, at a rate of 8.2%.
Every year, in preparation for the cold season, the level of demand for various types of heating products increases. The market for heating products in the world is estimated to be worth 51 billion dollars, based on a study conducted by Fortune Business Insights, but despite the high figures, home heating, certainly by Israeli standards, does not have to be an expensive business and there are quite a few accessible, cheap and good heating solutions.
Precisely now, when winter is here, electricity prices are rising – which will be reflected in all of our electricity bills. so what are we doing?
Beko’s experts have some important and simple tips for implementation, for wise consumption and saving electricity: “First of all and on a regular basis, when you want to renew and replace your home appliances, it is recommended to do a thorough inspection, which includes, in addition to the prices and the operating functions, also how friendly the device is for the environment and energy efficient”.
“Also, it is desirable and recommended to schedule operations that require high electricity consumption for off-peak hours. The price of electricity increases more during peak hours – the hours of the day when demand is highest. By scheduling energy consumption for off-peak hours – early in the morning or late at night – you can reduce the load on the grid and lower the The monthly electricity bill”.
3000 watt electric heating mushroom from Normande (photo: Yeh’ach)We received additional tips for quick, safe and efficient heating of the house from the area manager at Berimag Moore Moskovitz: “Even before deciding to purchase a heating device, it is advisable to check the openings of the house, such as doors and windows, because good insulation can save a considerable part of the heating expenses. Carpets are also another means For heating the space, in addition to being a design item, and winter cooking will give a natural and pleasant heating effect.”
“And if you have already decided to upgrade to a heating device, thinking in advance about its purpose will help you make the right decision. Each space is suitable for a different heating device, when safety is above all else and should be the first criterion for inspection – choose a device that is not dangerous for children and pets. In principle, 22 degrees is the recommended temperature for space heating. Check the electricity consumption of the heating device, because some are more economical. And it is no less important to check the reliability of the brand – a good heating device should be in working order and reliable, so it is important to check that the brand is recognized and that there is an importer’s warranty.”
From an air conditioner to a mushroom
Air conditioner: cheap and safe, but not always suitable for rented apartments. In this case there is nothing new under the sun. If you consider efficiency, price and heating speed, the air conditioner shows the best results. You should pay attention to matching the size of the room to the size of the air conditioner, as well as being aware of the fact that an air conditioner tends to dry the air in the house, so especially when sleeping with an air conditioner at night, it is advisable to incorporate a humidifier that balances the humidity level in the air. Another significant disadvantage is in rented apartments, since the tenants do not always want to invest in an air conditioner that will remain in the apartment when they move out, and are looking for more flexible heating solutions.
Magic Inverter – Electra (Photo: Yeh’ach)Heating mushroom: enjoy the balcony and the garden even in winter. We have become accustomed to seeing them in restaurants or cafes allowing to enjoy comfortable sitting in outdoor spaces even when the temperatures outside drop. Until recently, the expensive price of the heating mushrooms made them irrelevant to the private market, but recently, due to a significant discount, the heating mushrooms are entering the home as well, and make it possible to enclose the balcony or the garden in a range of 8-12 square meters, and thus enjoy sitting outside throughout the year.
Radiator: suitable mainly for small rooms. A radiator is the main means of heating in cold countries because of its phenomenal heating capabilities, which keep the space warm even hours after the radiator has been turned off. These are hollow metal ribs that contain a liquid that heats up to high temperatures, and the metal conducts the heat and slowly disperses it in the space. In Israel, the electric radiator is common, which offers a very high level of safety, pleasant heat, uniform distribution of the heat in the space and good regulation of the temperature.
Portable electric fireplace: all the beauty of a fireplace without dirt and air pollution. Lovers of design with a taste of the past, who enjoy sitting in front of an antique-looking fireplace with a flickering fire and hissing coals, can achieve this this winter even without ordering logs for heating with a traditional-looking electric fireplace. The fireplace with a cast finish, with a whispering embers effect and a flame effect, heats the room efficiently and quickly, is safe to use, saves space and does not require installation.
Decorative heating fireplace from Normande, model sf-1418me (photo: Ya’chaz)Underfloor heating with gas: home heating solutions with gas become in demand from season to season. The heating of the house by gas also exists in underfloor heating which requires planning in advance, heating by mushrooms which is very common for heating the courtyard of the house and more.
Water on the gas
Zohar Basis, director of sales at Amishragaz, refers to the savings possibilities when heating the house, and especially heating water with domestic gas: “The winter period requires us to pay special attention to the subject of heating at home. The Israeli winter is relatively short and usually not very cold, yet we would like to feel warm and cozy. One of the most important issues in the winter season is hot water in the shower. In many homes, the shower time is accompanied by the need to plan in advance, turn on the boiler and keep hot water for the rest of the family – which does not always work and may create arguments in the house like ‘who finished the hot water?'”
If you shower with hot water that comes from a solar water heater, you are probably familiar with the disadvantages, and nevertheless a basis for detailing them, as someone who is used to pulling out the information for a sale: “The electric water heater should be turned on about 3/4 of an hour before the shower or even longer on particularly cold days The hot water isn’t enough for more than two showers in a row, and if you don’t have a smart water heater that connects to your cellphone – and most of us don’t – you can’t turn it on remotely before you get home, and if you accidentally forget it’s on, the meter will knock and your pocket will be empty.”
Amishragaz heats water with gas (photo: Yeh’ach)Basis continues: “Amishragaz’s rapid water heater connects to the home’s gas system, turns on automatically when each of the hot water faucets in the house is opened, and operates non-stop. Its large output – 20/16 liters per minute – is enough for two showers at the same time, and the electronic control system allows the Determining the desired temperature. The heater turns off immediately when the faucet is closed and heats only the amount of water consumed, thus preventing wasteful water heating. It guarantees unlimited hot water 24/7 in all faucets as soon as the device is turned on.”
However, he emphasizes: “The sun’s rays are the most efficient energy for heating water at home. The Amishragaz gas water heater is a complementary product to a solar water heater, it synchronizes with it and comes into operation only when the hot water in the solar water heater runs out. This way you can enjoy hot water at home without the need for prior planning .
Amishragaz water heater (photo: Yeh’ach)