Heaters and Fireplaces

Whether we like it or not, winter has finally arrived and according to the experts it is going to be a cold one! So how on earth are we supposed to keep warm with electricity cost being higher than ever before?
Don’t despair; there are ways to stay warm and cosy this winter without pushing your electricity bill up to a record high! Here are a few options you could try …

Gas and fire

Fireplaces (gas or fire) have become increasingly popular over the past few years – not just because of the cosy and luxurious atmosphere it creates, but also because of the fact that these products provide heat and warmth without using electricity.

There are various companies and options when it comes to gas / fire fireplaces, but for the purpose of this article, we will only be looking at two:

“Solid fuel fireplaces are popular because they have the ability to heat an area quickly and effectively and the open fire has an attraction of its own. A solid fuel fireplace can be combined effectively with under floor heating where the fireplace brings the area quickly to required temperature, with added advantage of atmosphere, and the under floor heating kicks in later to maintain room temperature at the selected setting,” says Rudi Scheepers from Home Fires.

What is available?

Home Fires has the following products available:

• Built-in fireplaces with a deep ash drawer, thus making cleaning much easier and eliminating the spilling of ashes. 
• Freestanding fireplaces in various sizes from 650mm for small rooms to 1200mm for huge rooms. Freestanding fireplaces for corner applications are also available.
• Alpine round open fireplace creates an unbeatable atmosphere and is used in installations between two rooms. 
• The Dovre product range consists of cast iron, closed system fireplaces, which can either be freestanding or built-in. The fireplaces can be multi fuel burning, wood burning, anthracite burning or LPG gas burning. 

Fire and Gas Lifestyles manufactures closed system wood burning fireplaces.

Advantages of this product:

• Closed system fireplaces provide 80% heat on 20% fuel and are very effective heat generators.
• Although it might be expensive to install closed system fireplaces initially, the overall cost to run and maintain it afterward is minimal.
• With a closed system fireplace, you can enjoy the magic of an open fire with the efficiency and safety of a large fire-resistant glass door, fitted to every closed system fireplace to ensure a maximal view of the burning fire.
• Cast iron retains its shape and therefore doors and joints remain sealed and no smoke will escape into your home.
• Easy to clean and maintain.
• Environmentally friendly: Closed system fireplaces function at high combustion that ensures the burning of released gases.
• Safe: There is no risk of the fire spitting hot fuel out of the fireplace resulting in a potential fire outside of the fireplace.
• Easy to install.

Things to consider when thinking about having a fireplace installed to your home:

According to Rudi Scheepers from Home Fires, you have to think about the following aspects before having a fireplace installed to your home:

• Identify your needs. If you your main consideration is:
• Heat output - The closed system that burns wood or other solid fuels that has a well designed combustible chamber is the most powerful and quickest form of heating.
• Convenience - A Fireplace that burns gas is probably the best choice. With these there will be no ash generation, easy to start and reasonably safe to use.
• Safety - Either a closed system fireplace or a gas burning fireplace will be the best choice. An open fire with fire screen is just as safe.

NB: Remember that the quality fireplace and the quality of service you get from your fireplace will depend on the manufacturer. Choose a brand that has a good reputation and use an expert to have your fireplace installed properly.

Electric heaters

Although this is a very precious and expensive resource and not necessarily considered the most eco-friendly option around, there are heaters that can actually help you save energy while keeping warm.

What is available?

“Eco Heat heaters use infrared technology to provide comfortable, gentle heat using significantly less energy than convection, gas or oil heaters. Rather than wasting energy by heating the ambient temperature through convection, the heaters emit radiant heat in an infrared band that is safe and ideal for absorption by the human body, saving you up to 50% of your heating cost. The results combine energy efficient, dependable technology with competitive pricing, providing a financially and environmentally friendly heating option for indoor or outdoor applications,” says Kirsten Roesch from Eco Heat.

Advantages of this product:

• Heat projected by this product is soft and comfortable – almost like sunlight.
• Energy efficient: The product only heats objects that absorb infrared and not the air.
• Versatility: Heat can be projected over long distances and even in un-insulated areas. Heat is not affected by wind, air movement or drafts.
• Safety: It has a lower operating temperature than conventional radiant heaters.
• Easy to use: It is maintenance free, easy to install and has a long element life.
• Beneficial to health: These heaters do not dry out air like conventional heaters, it burns no oxygen and thus do not result in drowsiness. It doesn’t produce any gasses or pollutants.

Tips for keeping warm this winter with Kirsten Roesch from Eco Heat:

1. Perform an energy audit: An energy audit will help you find out where you’re wasting energy. It involves analyzing where you use energy and how efficiently you’re using it. Some findings common in energy audits are drafty windows or fireplaces, energy loss due to poor insulation and inefficient appliances.
2. Insulate: Keep the warm air in and the cold air out this winter with effective insulation. As an added bonus – insulation will also help to keep your home cooler in the summer.
3. Weather stripping: Did you identify drafty windows or doors during your energy audit? Use weather stripping and draft stoppers to combat heat loss. Weather stripping can be done using specific weather stripping materials or with caulk or silicone.
4. Curtains: Use the curtains in your home to make the most of the heating power of the sun. Open curtains to allow sun in and then close promptly after the sun has set or moved – trapping more of the most eco friendly, heat available. Upgrading to thick curtains will increase the efficiency of this tactic.
5. Heaters: Space or zone heating is an effective and energy efficient way to make your home warmer and more comfortable during the winter. Infrared heaters are a highly efficient method of zone heating because they heat objects instead of the ambient air temperature. This provides a targeted, focused, near-instant heat that can be used as needed and prevents wasting electricity heating unused areas.
6. Mind Your Geyser: Water heating can account for 30 – 40% of your home’s total electricity cost.  The three tactics below can help you make a significant dent in your water heating electricity cost and usage. Geyser timers allow you to program your geyser to turn on and off on a schedule. This prevents your geyser from running constantly without having to sacrifice comfort. Geyser blankets decrease heat lost when the hot water warms the geyser and surrounding air.
7. Replacing your traditional geyser with a solar geyser can be an effective way to reduce your water heating electricity consumption.
8. Kettle: A hot cup of tea, coffee or cocoa is always helpful for beating a winter chill. However, your kettle may be using more electricity than you think. Ensuring that you heat only the amount of water you need helps to save electricity.
9. Monitoring: To ensure that the above measures are decreasing your electricity use and to escape any surprises on your monthly electricity bill, consider investing in an energy monitor.