Guide to efficient home heating
With so many heaters to choose from and so many different heating requirements, the question remains—how do you choose the right heater for your home?
New Zealand’s coastal climate makes us particularly partial to humidity and moisture in the air, leaving us with some of the world’s highest asthma rates and unpredictable winter temperatures.
Reducing dampness and keeping a cosy home are important issues for most Kiwis.
The Goldair Heating Guide explains the differences between heater types and provides the knowledge required to make a smart decision on heating.
Helpful heating tips:
■ High wattage doesn’t necessarily mean more expensive. A lower wattage heater may just take longer to heat the room, using more power. It’s more about choosing the right heater for the size of the room.
■ Minimise draughts and heat loss around windows and
doors by closing curtains and using draught stoppers.
■ If your heater has a thermostat, set it to high and then when the room reaches a comfortable temperature, adjust your thermostat to match. This will help you decide your level of cosy and save you from overheating the room and wasting power.
■ A timer that switches on and off automatically can also save you money. Set it to warm up the house before you get home. There is no need to leave it running all day.
■ Energy meters areagreat tool that allow you to monitor the
energy and power your heater is drawing.
For most homes—micathermic heater
■ They heat up fast, thereby saving energy
■ Double-sided heating makes it great for larger spaces
■ They are quiet to run
■ Micathermic heaters have no glowing parts, so they are
safe for the whole family.
For draughty environments—radiant heater
■ Radiant heaters heat people and objects —not rooms or air
■ They use quartz or halogen tubes to generate heat, much
like that produced by the sun
■ Great for instant heat when you come home cold
■ Great for people with homes that will not retain heat, such
as old villas or draughty homes
■ They provideawarm glow and ambience.
For prolonged use—Ecosave panel heater
■ These panels use only 425 watts
■ They are lightweight and easy to install
■ Their surface is paintable, so you can make it match any
de´cor
■ They are unobtrusively wall-mounted
■ Great option for small bedrooms.
For fast heat—ceramic heater
■ They have no glowing parts, making them family-friendly
■ They are fan-forced, so they work quickly
■ Great for small rooms, quick heating and personal warmth
■ Wall-mounted or tower versions can heat larger rooms with
limited floor space.
For portable heat—fan heater
■ Often the cheapest units to buy
■ They are great for personal warmth, small rooms and short
running periods
■ They are small and portable.
For gradual heat in any room—oil heater
■ They are quiet to run
■ They are portable
■ Great for gradual heating in any sized room.
For stylish heat that’s easy to move— convector heater
■ They use convection heating technology, drawing air
overaheated element
■ They are lightweight and portable
■ Suitable for medium to large rooms.
For space-tight rooms—panel heater
■ Great for lounges, hallways and bedrooms
■ They work on convection technology
■ They are quiet to run
■ They are complementary toaheat pump
■ Wall-mountable for tight and tidy spaces.
With all heating equipment, it’s important to remember to stay safe—always leave a minimum of1mclearance in front of a heater.
He might have a staunch name based on his impressive wrestling moves with his brothers, but Sumo the kitten is an absolute sweetheart.
Karma Andrews, a trustee of The Scratching Post, says he’s gentle, very affectionate, and loves attention. He is medium-haired, loves to be brushed and is a lap cat.
“A home with another cat to play with would be ideal but he’s not so fussed about the
noises young children make.”
Sumo has been vet health checked, desexed, vaccinated, treated against fleas and worms and is litterbox trained. His adoption fee is $130.
To find out more about Sumo or any of the other kittens looking for homes, visit The Scratching Post at 127 Broadway in Stratford, or call 027 292 6167. Open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10am to 2pm.