When Your Home Feels Cold – What to Check Before Submitting a Maintenance Request
Does your home feel cold?
As autumn progresses and winter approaches, temperatures outside drop – and you may notice changes in the temperature inside your home, too. In apartment buildings, heating is usually adjusted automatically according to the outdoor temperature, so there is no need to turn it on yourself.
If your home feels colder than usual, the cause may be something you can easily check. Before submitting a maintenance request, go through the following steps.
Things to check before submitting a maintenance request
1. Make sure ventilation valves are not blocked
Exhaust air vents are usually located in the bathroom, toilet and kitchen. Supply air vents are often found near windows or on exterior walls. Keep all vents clean and unobstructed – do not cover or block them. Ventilation valves should not be closed, as proper ventilation and sufficient replacement air help prevent draughts and the feeling of cold.
2. Check that windows and the balcony door are properly closed
Make sure your windows and balcony door are properly closed. Even a small gap can let cold air in and cause draughts.
3. Check the radiator thermostat
Make sure the radiator thermostat is set appropriately. Follow any heating instructions provided for your building, as heating systems may vary from one property to another.
Heating is generally adjusted automatically according to the outdoor temperature. This means a radiator does not need to feel warm all the time to be working properly.
4. Keep space around radiators
Furniture, curtains and other items can prevent heat from spreading throughout the room. Ideally, leave around 40 cm of clear space in front of the radiator.
5. Measure the room temperature
If your home feels cold, measure the temperature in the living area, approximately one metre above the floor. Avoid measuring right next to a window, exterior wall or radiator.
The recommended indoor temperature is generally 20–22°C. During the heating season, the action limits for indoor air temperature under Finland’s Housing Health Regulation are 18–26°C. These action limits are not target temperatures but are separate from the recommended indoor temperature. Measuring the temperature helps you determine whether your home is actually too cold or whether the sensation may be caused by draughts or cold surfaces.
Why can your home feel cold even when the heating is working?
Your home may feel cold even when the temperature is within the recommended range. Cold surfaces or air movement, for example, can make a room feel chilly.
Radiators do not always feel warm, either. Since heating is adjusted according to the outdoor temperature, a radiator may sometimes feel cool even when everything is working normally. A cool radiator alone does not necessarily mean there is a problem with the heating.
When should you submit a maintenance request?
If your home still feels cold after checking these things, or the temperature repeatedly falls below the target range of 20–22°C, submit a maintenance request directly to your building’s maintenance company.
The maintenance company can investigate the situation and, if necessary, arrange an indoor temperature assessment or check the radiators. If the indoor temperature falls below 18°C, contact the maintenance company without delay.
When submitting a maintenance request, include:
- The measured indoor temperature
- Which rooms feel cold
- How long the situation has continued
- Whether the radiators feel cold, lukewarm or warm
- Whether you have noticed draughts or anything unusual
This information helps the maintenance company assess the situation and determine what measures may be needed.
Submit your maintenance request directly to your building’s maintenance company through the Colliers maintenance request service.
The maintenance company will investigate the situation and check the heating to help keep your home comfortable, even on the coldest winter days.