By Mark Single on Jun 12, 2020 10:16:14 AM
Australia's climate can vary wildly, from four seasons in one Melbourne day, to the tropics in North Queensland. However, it gets more than a little chilly pretty much anywhere and everywhere throughout Australia during the winter months, and it can get particularly cold in our little Tamworth region!
When the cold winter weather starts to set in, heating costs are one of the most significant household expenses, so you need to work out the most effective way to heat your home without blowing your budget.
Making The Right Choice
Heating your home during winter doesn't necessarily have to cost an arm and a leg. While all heaters cost something to run, some heating options will be cheaper than the others, and some are far more efficient in different spaces. But how do you find the 'right heater' for your unique space? Electric heater? Gas heater? Reverse cycle air-conditioning?
There are so many different heating options available on the market today; it can be difficult choosing the most cost-effective and efficient method of heating your home that won't send you broke. The best option will depend on a few different factors, so read on to help you make that choice.
Electric Heaters
Good for heating small rooms
A quick and easy method for taking the edge off a chilly winter night is to use an electric heater, particularly if you can position it relatively close to you. Electric heaters are often cheaper to buy, they're portable so can be moved around the house easily, and they can take the chill out of a small, enclosed room like a bedroom or a bathroom pretty quickly. You can buy different styles to match any décor, just be aware of where you’re putting it (keep it away from curtains, lounges, beds and anything else flammable). If you have a big room you want to heat, you may need a gas heater or a reverse-cycle split-system air conditioner. But as long as you're not using it to heat large areas or for long periods, electric heaters are a solid option.
Gas Heaters
Good for heating small to medium rooms
A gas heater can be good value for money and very efficient, and some actually prefer the feel and smell of gas heating over air conditioners or electric heaters. Gas heaters are built to run on either bottled LPG gas or reticulated natural gas that's connected to your home, so you will need to check and make sure you purchase the right model gas heater for the type of gas that you have available. The downside of using gas heating is that it produces small amounts of waste products such as dangerous carbon monoxide, and water vapour, which sometimes causes problems with mould or other condensation issues. Like electric heaters, gas heaters can now be purchased in a huge variety of styles to suit any styling, just be aware of where you’re placing it in a room and never leave it running at night.
Reverse-Cycle Air Conditioners
Good for all size rooms up to open-plan living areas
Very effective for heating large rooms and open-plan living areas, reverse-cycle air conditioners are much more economical than portable electric heaters. This is because, for each unit of electricity consumed, their heat pump technology creates three or more units of heat. The downside of using a reverse-cycle air conditioner to heat your home is that they are far more expensive to purchase and install than a gas or portable electric heater. One of the biggest benefits is that they are placed on the wall – and they’re usually white – so they blend really well with your paint. You’ll hardly even notice they are there, and you’ll stay warm. Winning.
Wood Heaters
Don’t forget the old wood heater. It’s a very effective way to heat small to medium rooms. They come in a free standing model as well as a built-in model. Wood fires are by far my favourite as they stay warm over night and add a real atmosphere to the living space.
Whatever choice you make really depends on your budget and heating requirements. Do your research and find a heater to suit.
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