When it comes around to the winter months, it’s essential to have a reliable and affordable source of heating in the bathroom and home. But, what is the best way of heating your property, that’s both affordable and sustainable?
From wall radiators to wood stoves and storage heaters, there are a number of different ways to get that temperature up to a level that makes your home warm and snug. It’s worth knowing though that each one comes with advantages and disadvantages and suitability for different rooms in the home. A wood fire, for example, is probably not a great option for the smallest room of the house, while designed for purpose bathroom radiators, will do the job perfectly.
That means that it’s essential to carefully consider which one will be the best option for you and your family. In this guide, we’re going to help you with that decision by looking at some of the most popular ways of heating your home.
Gas Fired Central Heating
One of the most popular ways to get your home warm is a gas-fired central heating system. Most homes, these days, are installed with this type of heating system, but it’s also worth considering if yours needs upgrading or replacing entirely.
The main benefit to switching from electric storage heaters and radiators to a gas-fuelled central heating system is that you’ll be able to regulate and maintain the temperature in every room perfectly. This provides an even level of comfort for all household members and cuts down on costs because you’re only heating specific rooms when they’re unoccupied.
Because there is such a wide range of flued or ‘air source’ boilers available on the market today, it really comes down to the size of your household to decide which one you’ll need. It’s also worth considering that if you live in a large, four-bedroom home, then you may require a system or regular boiler that also needs a hot water cylinder fitted to store the heated water.
A smaller home will find that a combination boiler’s rapid heating of water will meet their needs perfectly.
Things to consider about Gas Heating Systems
Although there are many benefits to using gas as a form of heating for your home, it’s essential to consider the disadvantages too.
For example, gas is more expensive than other forms of energy, and some people argue that it’s less sustainable because we can’t just simply produce more of it when we need to. Because of this, many countries are now committed to ending its use in domestic properties. The UK, for example, has decided that gas boilers will not be fitted in new properties after 2025.
This means that you’ll have to be mindful and careful with how much heat you use on a day-to-day basis and how often you choose to switch the boiler on and off throughout the winter months.
Another thing to consider is that not all homes are built with central heating systems already installed, so you may have to factor in the extra cost of installation if this is something you’d like for your home.
Wood Burning Stoves
A more sustainable way of heating your home is through burning wood or other biomass fuels. A wood-burning stove has become a popular form of heating for those who want to keep their carbon footprint as low as possible and reduce their reliance on gas and electric heating systems.
There are two types of stove – open and closed: an open one, which vents out into the room just like a fireplace, and a closed one, which draws air from outside directly into the firebox. It’s worth considering what type you’ll need for your home before making any final purchasing decisions.
The main benefit to using this kind of system (over central heating) is that it only heats the room that it’s located in, so you don’t have to worry about heating up the whole house or wasting energy. It also provides a cosy, warm atmosphere – perfect for those cold winter months!
Cons of burning wood as a source of heat
Although there are many advantages to using a wood-burning stove, there are some disadvantages as well unless you are surrounded by a quartz fireplace.
Wood-burning stoves can be pretty expensive, and if you have a large household, then you may have to invest in more than one. They also require a lot of supervision, care, and manual labour when being used because they need daily cleaning to burn at their very best.
Finally, there is the issue of sourcing your fuel. Some people struggle with finding enough wood or biomass materials for burning, so it’s important that you think about how you’ll be getting hold of yours before confirming any purchases. Then once you’ve sourced the fuel, you need somewhere dry and large enough to store it.
Electric Heating
The third most popular option for heating homes is electric-powered storage heaters and wall-mounted radiators. As long as your home has been built with them in mind by a Rapid HVAC professional – these units can be installed into any room beautifully and provide an instant source of warmth when switched on. You can control the temperature using a thermostat, and being electric, they’re accessible to pretty much every home.
In fact, the only source of fuel you’ll need is a power socket to get your home heating up – brilliant!
Cons of Electric Heating
However, it’s also worth considering that these units are usually placed against exterior walls, so heat loss is inevitable when heating up a large space. They can be pretty expensive over time, too, especially if you have a large family or household.
However, unlike central heating systems, storage heaters do not maintain and regulate temperature very well. So, while they’re great for those quick bursts of warmth or during the summer months, they can be problematic when trying to stay cosy indoors during winter.
Solar Power
The final option that’s growing in popularity is heating the home through the energy generated by solar panels. These can heat water for your home and be used to provide electricity and power through a system known as ‘solar photovoltaic’.
As we all know, solar panels are great because they don’t require any additional fuel sources – all you need is sunlight – which makes them very convenient. In fact, these systems have been reported as being pretty cost-effective, as long as you’re willing to wait for payback periods to recoup initial costs.
Cons of Solar Power
On the downside, installing a complete system can be quite expensive and, of course, isn’t an option for some homes, such as apartments. Then there’s the unreliability of the sun in many parts of the world, which just doesn’t make this a viable option as a primary source of energy for a home’s heating.
