Heat pump, gas or wood fire or heating system?

Having lived with both an open fire and a wood burner, as much as I enjoy the feel of an open fire, roasting marshmallows and warming up my feet, I have to say a free-standing or in-fireplace wood burner is far more efficient. When it comes to safety, I know there will be no sparks escaping when the door is closed. If practical, I certainly would consider having a wetback on your wood burner as hot water is a large part of your power bill.

A heat pump or a gas fire saves you having to organize firewood and gives instant warmth especially when arriving home from work, plus no mess, no fuss.

My suggestion would be to do your homework, take your time, talk to reputable heating suppliers because what might work for you may not for someone else. One thing we all need to consider is energy efficiency and sustainability.

Firewood

Most of us wait till the first frost has made an appearance and go into panic mode as nothing has been done about filling that firewood shed.The best piece of advice I can give you is to get organized and stack your firewood in your shed over the summer months. Nothing is more pleasing to the eye than a beautifully stacked shed full of wood, I rate it along with chocolate!

Healthy home standards

The Healthy Homes Standards set minimum standards for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture and drainage, and draught stopping in all rental properties.The Healthy Home Standards became law 1 July 2019.

Whether you are a Proper ty Manager or a Landlord it is essential that your property complies with current Healthy Home Standards, or you could be at risk of a fine. Dedicated assessors nationwide will work with you to ensure your proper ty is up to standard.

Various local councils can assist with funding and grants and organise assessments to be done on your proper ty.

A final few words on coping with the winter cold

Make use of the sun to dry clothes, dress in layers, invest in a dressing gown and slippers, add some extra pots of soup and casseroles to your cooking repertoire and once relaxed, check out the availability of subsidies to help in keeping your home warm and your family healthy over the winter months.