Choosing your heating might be one of the most important decisions you make for your home. Here’s our handy beginner’s guide to heating for today’s families
A shopper’s guide to heating your home with a wall radiator
There are a lot of variables involved with finding the best heating for your place and choosing a heating type might be one of the most important decisions you make for your home. Not only could you end up saving money upfront and in the future, the right type of heater can make your family healthier and improve your quality of life.
There are a lot of variables involved with finding the best heating for your place – including climate, housing type and your budget – so it pays to do your research. We’ve rounded up some of the main pros and cons to get you started. But first…
Insulation
Effective home heating starts and ends with insulation. A little money spent on insulation now will save you thousands on bills in the years to come and will create a healthier environment for you and your family.
Check the required R values (the resistance of a material or building structure to transferring heat) for your climate zone and, if you can afford it, insulate above these minimum requirements. Installing double-glazed windows and cosy carpets will maximise the health and efficiency of your home even further.
Wall radiators
Choose from sleek electric wall panels or a central water, air or gas transfer system to heat your entire home by way of discreet radiators.
Pros
+ Easy to run
+ Heats the whole house
+ Discreet and stylish designs
+ Healthy and safe
+ Can add to your home’s value
+ Easy to control
Cons
+ Water transfer central heating systems (water-heated radiators) are more efficient than air transfer systems, but are more expensive to install
+ Water transfer requires a new hot water system
Daikin Nexura heat pump (wall-mounted close to floor), POA, see daikin.co.nz for stockists. DeLonghi Multicolonna radiator (water-heated), POA, from centralheating.co.nz. Goldair 425W panel heater with timer, $159.99, from Noel Leeming.
The purchase
Before choosing a system you’ll need to research which one is right for you. Consider your family’s needs, house size, cost, installation, availability of fuel to keep it running (eg gas, electricity, etc) and design. If you can afford it, a long-term solution is best, so consult an expert about the right choice for your home.
The installation
Radiator installation for central heating requires new pipework throughout your home. Houses with generous underfloor space – especially older houses – are best suited to retrofitting radiator heating due to the greater ease of installation. Electric panels are simply mounted onto the wall and plugged into a power socket.
The latest technology
The next generation of central heating systems will be controlled from your smartphone and will intuitively sense which areas to warm up and when. Smart home technology is on its way!
The look
Radiators are extremely sleek and chic these days but many models can also be painted to blend in with your wall colour.
Energy efficiency
Choosing a system that is correctly sized to your home is essential for efficiency and value for money so make sure you consult a qualified specialist and get a few quotes before you make a decision.
Words by: Sally Conor. Photography by: Armelle Habib/bauersyndication.com.au.
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