Heating
An energy-efficient heating system can use 40% less energy.
An effective and economical heating system is more than just a good heater. It is a 'heating package'.
Factors to consider when purchasing a heating system are –
- types of heat appropriate for your home
- the size of heater needed
- Heating accessories
Factoring these decisions into your ‘heating package’ will save your household energy and money and also help the environment.
A well insulated home ensures any heating system you use will run more efficiently.
The NSW Climate Change Fund provides a rebate of up to $300 to cover half the cost of installing ceiling insulation in your home.
Types of heat
Radiant heat
Radiant heat is emitted from hot surfaces, e.g. the glowing panel of a gas heater, the surface of a heated concrete slab, a bar radiator or open fire. Radiant heat directly heats objects in the room, but does not directly warm the room air.
Radiant heaters can be appropriate if your rooms have large open spaces or high ceilings, or are particularly draughty.
Convective heat
Convective heat is transferred from one object to another, using moving air or water. Convection heaters work by filling a room with warm air e.g. fan heaters and ducted heating.
Convection heaters are most appropriate if your rooms are insulated, well sealed against draughts and have average ceiling heights. They should be avoided in draughty rooms, rooms with high ceilings or areas with open stairwells.
Some heaters combine the effects of radiant and convection heating. Hydronic radiator panels, wood heaters, storage fan heaters and many gas heaters function in this way.
How can I reduce my heating bill?
- Heat only those areas in use at any one time. Close these areas off and keep windows and doors closed.
- Use a correctly sized heater for the space you are heating.
- Don't overheat. Set the thermostat to between 18° to 20°C - every one-degree increase in temperature could increase your energy bill by 15%.
- Don't leave the heater running on low overnight or while you are out of the house.
- Turn off pilot lights (if fitted) over summer.
- Maintain your heating system according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Seal out draughts with draught excluders - air leaks can account for 15 to 25% of heat loss.
- On dark winter days, cover windows with close fitting, floor length heavy curtains - up to 30% of total heat loss from a home occurs through uncovered windows. Leaving curtains open can increase your heating bill by up to $80 per quarter for the average home!
- On sunny winter days, open up the curtains to north-facing windows for free natural solar energy to warm your home.
- Ceiling fans can be used to redistribute heat that has collected up at the ceiling, moving it down to floor level.
- Insulate your home. Non-insulated ceilings, walls and floors can account for over 70% of total heat loss from a home.