Heating
Comparing the options
Heat pumps - Good for:
- Low running costs, when used properly
- Producing instant heat
- Convenience, as you can control the temperature and timing with the thermostat and timer controls
Heat pumps - Be aware that:
- They must be sized correctly for the space and the climate to work well (if you live in a colder area, ask the supplier to size the heat pump based on its "H2" performance)
- Some are a lot more efficient than others (look for the ENERGY STAR® mark to show you the most efficient model)
- They won't work during a power cut
Modern wood burners - Good for:
- Low running costs, especially if you have access to free or cheap firewood
- The environment, as they produce very little pollution and use renewable wood energy as a fuel
- Heating large spaces
- Heating hot water in winter through a wetback system
Modern wood burners - Be aware that:
- Firewood must be dry to burn most efficiently, so you need to plan ahead and store it undercover (ideally for at least 12 months)
- Building consent approval for installation is needed, and unless your property is larger than two hectares, you need to use a woodburner on the Ministry for the Environment's list of approved wood burners
Flued gas (natural or LPG) heaters or fireplaces - Good for:
- Convenience, as you can control the temperature and timing with the thermostat and timer controls
- Heating larger areas for longer periods
Flued gas (natural or LPG) heaters or fireplaces - Be aware that:
- You may have to pay a fixed charge for reticulated gas supply
- EECA recommends choosing an ENERGY STAR qualified model (view a list of ENERGY STAR qualified products)
- Gas heaters must always be installed by a registered gas fitter
Unflued gas (natural or LPG) - Good for:
- Back-up heating during power cuts, if your normal heating relies on electricity to operate
Unflued gas (natural or LPG) - Be aware that:
- Unflued LPG heaters are the most expensive form of heating, except for some open fires
- There are health risks, as it will pollute air with toxic gases and large amounts of water vapour and can make your home damp
- Portable LPG heaters can be a fire risk, as anything too close can catch fire quickly
Electric heaters - Good for:
- Heating a small room infrequently and for short periods only
- Your budget, as they are very cheap to buy
Electric heaters - Be aware that:
- They are more expensive to run than most other heating options
- There are different types but they all have the same efficiency, i.e. the same amount of heat output per unit of electricity used
- There are different types, e.g. radiant, convection, fan, that deliver heat in different ways
- Many have built-in thermostats, but generally they aren't very accurate