the cost of comfort

It’s worth looking into the costs of different heating options before hitting the shops. Reverse-cycle air conditioners are economical, particularly for heating large areas. Gas heaters are less efficient in large or draughty zones, but are great for single rooms or smaller spaces. “Gas fireplaces can be very cost-effective with regards to heating a certain space in the home,” says Daryl Crowley. “If the area can be closed off then you can easily heat it quickly for minimal cost.”

Wood burners are similarly economical – provided you select the right type. While open fires send 90 per cent of the heat straight up the chimney, slow combustion wood burners can burn all night long with minimal fuel.

One way to lower costs is to help your heating system out with ceiling fans. Set to low – so it won’t create a draught – a fan will gently push warm air from the ceiling back into the room. Estimates vary, but by simultaneously lowering the thermostat by a degree or two, you could save between 10 and 30 per cent on heating.

“An important deciding factor for families is if they have children or not, because some fan heaters are too intense for little ones” ~ Fernando Durango, Appliances Online