Heating

With winter on its way, homeowners will be looking for ways to heat their homes in the safest and most cost-effective ways. With the current power shortage South Africans are experiencing, as well as the rising costs of electricity, the best heating options for your home need to be carefully considered.

In this section, we explore some of the most cost-effective and energy saving options for heating your home, as well as some tips for keeping your rooms cosy this winter.

Fireplaces

Traditionally, the fireplace was the focal point of the room, but this role was replaced by the television in the early 70's. Today, fireplaces are returning to prominence, as televisions and entertainment systems merit their own rooms. These focal points have become part of the décor of the room, and are not just appliances that are stored away at the end of winter.

There are several options to choose from when it comes to fireplaces. From the traditional, built-it, wood burning hearths to modern, electric fireplaces which have recently become available and quite affordable, to suit any home.

Traditional Fireplaces

Traditional fireplaces make use of firewood. It would be best to stock pile wood as buying it in small quantities can prove costly. Wood burning fireplaces do give out a lovely fragrance when the logs burn and create a soothing sound. But the flames cannot be controlled easily and can be found to be more dangerous in homes with small children. Another safety downside to a traditional wood fireplace is the fact that you need to make thoroughly sure they are completely put out before going to bed.

Electric Fireplaces

An alternative to wood burning fireplaces is the electric fireplace. This innovative concept has gained in popularity over recent years for its beauty and functionality as well as being more environmentally friendly than other fireplace options. Electric fireplaces simulate the flames of a traditional fireplace, without actually burning anything. They run on electricity and can easily be installed wherever there is a power outlet. Electric fireplaces can lend wonderfully to the décor and style of your home. Modern designs allow the owner to change the speed and even colour of the flames to compliment the look of the room.

Vent-less Fireplaces

Another option if the traditional look is what you are after is a direct-vent or ventless fireplace. Although they look very much like traditional fireplaces, direct-vent units are in many ways the fireplaces of the future. A ventless fireplace, as the name suggests, does not require a chimney, which makes installation a lot easier and less expensive and you have a much greater flexibility in their placement. This option is ideal when redecorating the can be installed anywhere. Because these fireplaces are gas-fired, the units address the problem of wood-smoke pollution, which is steadily becoming a huge issue as it can be damaging to the environment. These gas fireplaces give off virtually no particles. A vent-less fireplace used every night in winter would use approximately only two 40kg gas cylinders.

Ventless fireplaces are also very safe. They contain cut-off features so if, for example, a gust of wind sweeps through your room, the flames will not get any bigger causing a fire risk. Most come with standard flame failure and oxygen depletion features. It is not recommended that you attempt to install one of these fireplaces yourself. You should employ a qualified contractor.

Underfloor Heating

Underfloor heating, also known as a radiant heating system, is one of the most popular forms of heating. It is relatively inexpensive to install, economical to run, there is no maintenance and above all, heat distribution is equal and total. It is an invisible source of heat as there are no radiators or heaters showing and can be installed under almost every floor type, including wood, tiles and laminate floors. You can even lay the mats on top of an existing floor and then cover them with tiles which will only raise the floor height by 20mm or less.

Solar Heating

The need to find alternative sources of energy has been at the forefront of many homeowners minds for many years. With the shortages of fossil fuels and ever-increasing cost of electricity, solar power is fast becoming the preferred source of energy for heating. Research has proven that solar heating is one of the most used and reliable alternative energy sources, as well as taking on a more aesthetically pleasing look.

Solar heating makes use of two natural phenomena for their operation: that black objects absorb heat and hot water rises. A solar heater is a combination of a solar collector, an energy transfer medium and a thermally insulated hot water storage unit or geyser. There are two types of solar heating: liquid (water) and air. Basically, the solar panels absorb the sun's energy, transfer this energy to the water or air being heated and from there, the warm water/air is directed to the parts of your home to be heated via pipes or air vents, depending on the type of system you are using.

Because South Africa has some of the highest levels of solar radiation in the world, this is truly one of the most cost-effective choices for South African homeowners. If you are unsure about what type of solar energy system to install, contact a solar energy specialist or engineer. No matter what system you choose, you should learn about it before making a purchase.

GlassFires

A truly innovative product to come onto the market recently is the GlassFire. These beautiful decorative fires can be used anywhere in the home, without the need for a flue. There is no installation requirement and no harmful gases are emitted. Glass Fires can be used as supplementary heating and add beautifully to the ambience of your room. Apart from its decorative and heating properties, GlassFires offer complete mobility - there are no restrictions as to where you can use your GlassFire: in your lounge, in your bedroom or on your patio table. Biofuel is a special ecological liquid used in the GlassFire and is wholly environmentally friendly. These fires have a variety of base options to choose from to compliment any décor style. For more information call 0861 452 773 or visit www.glassfires.co.za.

Heaters

Portable heaters can be a great way to heat a small area for a shorter period of time, as they are more energy efficient and economical when used in a small portion of your home. Here are some options to go with if you are not looking for a total home heating system.

Oil filled Heaters

These heaters or radiators use silent convection to heat a room. Oil filled heaters have vertical metal fins filled with oil in which the heating element is submerged. The units are odourless and never have to be refilled.

Benefits include:

• Energy efficiency: the hot oil contained in the metal radiator retains more heat than some other types of heaters, and built-in thermostats turn the unit on and off, saving energy while maintaining your desired temperature.
• Quiet: oil heaters operate quietly
• Whole room heating: oil filled heaters generate non-directional heat which effectively heats larger areas than smaller space heaters

Convection Heaters

These heaters gently and comfortably warm and maintain your desired room temperature. Convection heaters have heating coils running through them and warm up very quickly. Cool, floor level room air is drawn into the unit, heated through natural convection and then emitted through the top of the unit.

Benefits include:

• Energy efficiency: a built-in thermostat saves energy by turning on and off, maintaining your desired temperature, much like the oil filled heaters
• Instant heat: convection heaters provide fast and effective heat
• Quiet: convection heaters operate quietly and unobtrusively
• Whole room heating: the heat generated by these heaters is also non-directional and makes them more appropriate than directional heaters for warming a whole room

Radiant Heaters

Radiant heaters use a glowing red element and metal reflector to radiate heat to a specific area. Although the air is not directly heated by the heating element, it is heated by convection from the heated surface.

Benefits include:

• Energy efficiency: the built-in thermostat saves energy by turning on and off to maintain the desired temperature
• Instant heat: radiant heaters provide fast and effective directional heat
• Space heating: radiant heaters provide direct heat to a specific area
• Durable housing: radiant heaters have durable metal housings

Fan Heaters

Fan forced heaters work by heating large coils. The heat is then directed outward by a fan that blows the hot air into the room.

Benefits include:

• Safety: cool touch cabinets provide safe heating
• Instant heat: fan forced heaters provide fast and effective directional heat
• Compact size: the compact size makes fan forced heaters ideal for desktop use.

Tips for Keeping Your Home Cosy This Winter

Stop Drafts

Most of our houses are drafty because of big gaps between window and door frames. These gaps can be reduced with foam strips or other draft-stopping devices found at hardware shops. Old chimneys are also heat draining. If you no longer have any use for the chimney, make sure the flue is sealed off properly.

Windows

Most heat loss occurs through windows. Double glazing is rarely cost effective, but it does reduce heat loss, as well as condensation, mould growth and noise, which may be other important factors to you. A simple way to achieve a degree of insulation with windows is to use thermal drapes - or a very thick, heavy material - which should be hung from a pelmet sealed against the wall right down to the floor or window sill. Otherwise, the cold surface of the window will trigger a continuous sheet of cold air sliding down and out across the floor.

Insulation

The hottest air gathers in a layer just beneath the ceiling. Up to 40% of your heating can escape through the ceiling, but fortunately, this is the easiest place to add insulation in most houses - so long as there is attic space between the ceiling and the roof. Heat loss can be dramatically cut by proper insulation.

Keeping Warm in Bed

Sleeping with electric blankets instead of leaving your heater on all night will save money on your electricity bill. Hot water bottles also go a long way in keeping you warm at night and come in a range of fun and colourful designs, and are obviously very economical. Don't use both at the same time as it is very dangerous to use water near electricity!

Common Sense

Above all, you can increase heating efficiency by just exercising common sense. Keep curtains open during the day to allow the room to absorb the natural warmth, but remember to close them as soon as the sun goes down. Also, keep doors closed - only heat the rooms that you are using and make sure you don't lose heat through open doors.