Winter warming
ABOVE /
With the cooler months upon us there is nothing better than snuggling up in style at home. The team at Mitre 10 MEGA Ashburton guides us through our options.
While running and installation costs will need to be factored into any decision, the primary drivers when it comes to heating source selection are the size of the room you want to heat and the type of heat you are after.
PERMANENT HEATING
Permanent options, like a wood or pellet fire, or heat pump, are typically the most affordable heating option to run, but they are also more expensive to install. They are best for large, regularly used rooms such as a lounge or kitchen, and can be used to distribute heat through your whole home when installed with a heat transfer kit.
For those wanting the ambience and benefits of a wood fire, the Metro Wee Rad Ultra is new this year and is clean air approved, ensuring it ticks all the boxes and is able to be installed in any urban home.
ELECTRIC HEATING
Electric heating is best for heating smaller spaces for a short time such as an office and also if you want a portable option. They can be inexpensive to buy and relatively economical to run.
Convection heaters work by creating background heat and warming the surrounding air. They are best for well insulated homes with lower ceilings. Models with a fan circulate this warmth quicker.
If your house has high ceilings, poor insulation or draughts, a convector heater may not produce enough heat to keep the inside air sufficiently warm. A radiant heater will be more effective, as the heat is absorbed by you and surrounding objects.
Micathermic heaters provide a mix of both convection and radiant technologies for optimal innovative heating.
For warmth and ambience, try a flame effect heater in both traditional and modern designs.
To keep bedrooms cosy, a wallmounted panel heater, oil or oilfree column heater is ideal. These types of heaters work better with a separate fan to move the warm air around the room.