TAKE THE HEAT

The cost of having a warm and cosy home shouldn't break the bank

- Catherine Steel

Comfortable, warm and dry homes provide us with a healthy environment in which to live. The World Health Organisation recommends an indoor temperature of at least 18°C, and 20°C in homes with young children, the sick and the elderly. Any cooler than 18°C and we're at risk of developing respiratory illnesses and becoming unwell.

The best type of heat source for your home is one that fits the size of your home and is within your budget. A two-bedroom home may not need ducted central heating, whereas a four-bedroom house would. Small flats are best equipped with a plug-in heater that suits the size of the space. Ensure your heater has a thermostat to monitor the temperature so you won't waste energy.

So, what is the most efficient way to heat a home? Heat pumps are considered to be the most economical source. They shift heat rather than generate it and come in a range of forms. Chris Leggett, energy assessor at Community Energy Action, says that while radiant and infrared heating are good heat sources, in terms of energy efficiency and low emissions, heat pumps are considered the most effective.

“We know heat pumps are the most efficient form of electrical heating,” Chris says. “For a heat pump with the capacity of 6kW, you would pay around 2kW of energy to produce 6kW of heat. Other forms of electric heating are a one-on-one situation, i.e. for every 1kw of heat you receive; you pay for 1 unit of energy.”

Heat pumps are efficient and typically cheaper to run than other heating options such as gas or wood burners, says Donovan Coetzee, business category manager - of whiteware and cooking at Harvey Norman. “The size of the unit installed will also determine the running cost. For example, a smaller unit in a larger room will draw more power than a larger unit as it will work harder to heat/cool the space, making the unit inefficient.”

HEAT PUMPS