Stay warm this winter

Choose the right heater for your room

A really good heater in the room you use most makes a world of difference to health and comfort. A smaller, cheaper one is fine for rooms you use less, like a bedroom or study.

Factor in:

Price — a fixed, efficient heater might cost more but do a better job.

Running costs — cheaper heaters can be more expensive to run.

Output — make sure it’s the right size to heat the room.

Get the best type of heater

Find out the pros and cons of different heaters. This is just a summary of key factors, see the genless website for full details before making a decision. There’s also a chart comparing costs of various appliances.

ELECTRIC HEATERS: cheap to buy, more expensive to run than other options, good for smaller rooms. Opt for higher wattage and a thermostat.

HEAT PUMPS: cheap to run, instant heat, low carbon option. FLUED GAS HEATERS: instant heat, heats large spaces, must be installed by a registered gas fitter. WOOD BURNERS: uses renewable wood energy, cheap to run, heats large spaces.

WOOD PELLET BURNERS:

pellets are made from 1005 waste wood, burns cleanly, heats large spaces, can’t burn firewood.

What to steer clear of

Unflued gas heaters, also known as cabinet heaters, tend to be the most expensive type of heating and release toxic fumes and moisture into your house.

Source genless.govt.nz

Around the home

Seal gaps in doors, windows

Shut doors and curtains

Reverse the ceiling fan- push warm air that rises up to the ceiling down towards floor level.

Lifestyle changes

Keep moving - exercises, dancing, walking.

Eat foods that will warm you up- hot drinks, soup. Wear layers of clothing, wear a hat, socks, thick snuggly dressing gown, fluffy slippers or sheepskin, scarves, beanie or bobble hat. Also use a hot water bottle, electric blanket, weighted blanket or an extra throw/blanket over duvet.

Grants available

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council runs a Sustainable Homes programme. They can assist with funding and grants for clean heating, insulation, solar power systems, double glazing, water storage and septic tanks, all to make your home a healthy and efficient place to live. www.hbrc.govt.nz