Part 3: How to choose your heating system?
What type of installation should you choose?
37. First assess the most suitable heating system for your premises taking into account its constraints (size, ceiling height, space available on the walls, access to a terrace, use of the façade, etc.). You then have two options: a central heating system (e.g. boiler connection to radiators or fan coils) or a decentralised system (heat pump, etc.).
38. Choose a condensing boiler. It will save you about 25% on energy compared to an older boiler. Combined with radiators, K7s and/or fan coils (faster and smaller), it is the least expensive solution and provides the best quality/price ratio.
39. Or choose an air/air heat pump. This is also a good option because it doesn’t require space on the walls (for radiators). These systems are usually reversible and can also be used for cooling. While they cost more than a condensing boiler, the main benefit is the fact that you can cool your premises at a very low extra cost (for discharge pipes to take the condensation water to the sewer).
40. Be sure not to obstruct the radiators by hiding them behind furniture or a clothes rack. Their yield will be substantially less because the heat will not be able to circulate optimally through the premises.
41. Take advantage of the Bruxelles Environnement energy allowance to optimise your heating system.
For more information, visit https://environnement.brussels/thematiques/batiment/primes-et-incitants/les-primes-energie-en-2019/primes-c-chaleur
How to set the temperature?
42. Set your “comfort” temperature based the type of shop and the intensity of work. Examples: 21° is the standard for a restaurant. It is around 17° for a supermarket and 23° to 25°C for fitting rooms.
Generally speaking, most people prefer a temperature between 19 et 25°C. Some of your customers will complain that they are too cold or too hot, but they are probably among the 5% of people who are never happy. Keep smiling, but don’t change all your settings just for them.
43. Install a thermostat on your heating system to manage the temperature efficiently and cost-effectively based on occupancy periods and the resulting needs. Fitting a device of this kind will enable you to save an average of 15% on heating.
If your boiler doesn’t have an external sensor, consider the outside temperature when setting your thermostat: excessive changes when walking through the door of a shop are always jarring and unpleasant. In summer, a 5°C difference with the outside temperature is enough to give customers a pleasant sensation of coolness; in winter, a temperature of 19°C is comfortable.
Don't hesitate to set you heating by area (store room, shop, fitting rooms, etc.) and the opening hours. Don’t forget to turn off the heat when you’re closed (nights, weekends, holidays). A 1°C decrease in heat in a room will result in an average energy savings of 7%.
44. Close your shop door and save on energy when the heating or air conditioning is on. Leaving doors open all the time leads to overconsumption, like in the winter time.
In addition, from a marketing standpoint, a person who comes into the shop by chance will not necessarily buy, whereas a person who goes to the trouble of opening the door will be more inclined to buy. In addition, a closed door enhances your business’ status. Make a bet on appealing lighting to draw customers in.
Don’t heat or cool the side walk! If you decide to keep your door open, a curtain of warm air will help limit loss, but it won’t solve all of the problems and will use heat and electricity to make the fan run.
45. Take advantage of the energy allowances from Bruxelles Environnement to install a regulating system.
For more information go to: https://environnement.brussels/thematiques/batiment/primes-et-incitants/les-primes-energie-en-2020/primes-c-chaleur/regulation
