In the UK, conservatories and sunrooms are the preferred choice for a home extension, and many people view them as indispensable. But during Winter months, conservatory heating becomes necessary, but how to do it?
It should come as no surprise, given that conservatories have served as a magnificent environment to cultivate and display exotic plants throughout history. They are also perfect as a place to relax and enjoy the sensation of being outdoors even when the temperature is below freezing.
The conservatory is a space many enjoy spending time in, whether in the evening or during the day. This is especially true given the versatility of conservatories, which can be used for various purposes, including dining, entertainment, and even offices.
Many homeowners, particularly during the darker winter months, consider the additional daylight a conservatory provides an advantage.
When the weather gets cool in the evenings or during the winter season, it is necessary to have some heating to use a conservatory fully.
There is a wide variety of conservatory heating systems available in the UK. Picking the one most suited to your specific needs is essential.
Because conservatories are made of glass, it is guaranteed they will lose that heat. As a matter of fact, Even the best quality glazing loses heat more quickly than an uninsulated cavity wall, which is why it is essential that efficient heating is either installed during the construction phase or retrofitted at a later period.
There are various ways to heat a conservatory, each with its advantages and disadvantages. This article will examine five of the UK’s most common types of conservatory heating.
There are various options for heating a conservatory, including oil heaters, underfloor heating, electric heaters, central heating and air conditioning. New heat pump technologies are now available and considered adequate but are unproven.
Fan Heaters
These are a practical way of heating because portable units are readily available and all that is required to use them is to plug them into an electrical connection.
Electrical heaters for conservatories are not prohibitively expensive. The heating mechanism consists of only passing air over an electrical element.
They can be pretty noisy, which disrupts the quiet of the conservatory, and they are also expensive to operate. Therefore, you should only use them irregularly when instant heat is required.
Portable Oil Radiators
The oil-filled radiator is a different sort of portable heater that is suitable for conservatories. Although these heaters are more substantial than fan devices, they can be easily concealed within the conservatory without compromising functionality.
The distinct advantage is their lack of audible noise. It is also safer because it is unlikely to be toppled over. Not having an incandescent element reduces any fire risk. In addition, the surface area as a whole maintains a lower temperature when it is being used. Even if they are a safer option, these units nevertheless have a high cost of operation.
Heating and Cooling System
It would seem reasonable to heat the conservatory with a central heating system, which will likely be installed in a brand-new building.
Ensure the option for thermostatic control and the chance to switch the radiator off. If so, it can be a sensible way to use the heat from the central heating system to warm your conservatory as you need.
The problem arises when you want to heat the conservatory simultaneously but not the other rooms in the house. In addition, the radiators’ temperature will need to be raised in the conservatory.
For this reason, central heating run radiators are not an option as a backup heat source. However, as you will most likely have the house heating on in the winter, it is an ideal option for winter conservatory use.
Under-floor Heating
It is advantageous to have this heating system for conservatories because there is nothing visible as a heat source. The heated floor ensures that the typically tiled conservatory flooring is comfortable to walk on and feels cosy.
It is a technology that can be pretty cost-effective. However, the installation costs can be relatively high, which is not ideal if you try to stick to a tight budget.
Air conditioning
This approach lets you heat and cool your conservatory, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of both worlds.
In the warmer months, you can enjoy sitting in the cool, but when winter rolls around, the roles are switched, and it provides heat. Most devices come with remote control, allowing you to adjust your comfort level with a button.
You can alter the humidity in the room to provide the desired atmosphere, which is especially important if you have plants there.
A wide variety of air conditioning equipment is available, and you can purchase them for a reasonable cost. They have a high level of design sophistication, manufacturing excellence, and operational efficiency. Their dual purpose makes them perfect for conservatories and air conditioning maintenance is simple and cheap.
Conclusion
As we have outlined above, there are many different methods by which you can install heaters for conservatories.
With many forms of heating, the high installation costs exceed the costs of running the heaters. Therefore, it is essential to consider how you plan to use your conservatory and how much of your budget can be allocated to ongoing maintenance and initial installation.
With the high energy costs, fans and oil radiators are not economical unless used for short periods. Extending your central heating system is a sensible and reasonably low-cost way to heat a conservatory, but it has some restrictions.
Underfloor heating is not a practical option if the conservatory is already built. Still, air conditioning is, without a doubt, the best option with reasonable installation costs and excellent efficiency.