It may be the height of summer now, but, once autumn kicks in, what’s likely to be the best way to heat your conservatory if you need it to stay consistently warm and toasty all year round? (For example if it’s where you have breakfast every morning, or if your plants need a consistent temperature?)
The various merits of underfloor heating, water-based systems and wall-mounted electric heaters are (forgive the pun) warmly debated among conservatory and orangery owners. And, with these structures effectively being greenhouses on the side of your house, do you need them at all? The short answer is that it’s probably a good idea to have some way of creating extra heat.
One building regulation to keep in mind is that you should keep the wall separating the house and the conservatory – or you have an extension and not a conservatory on your hands, in which case thermal insulation rules apply as they do to any contemporary building.
Another is that the main house’s heating system should not be extended into your conservatory, to stop excessive heat being brought in and out again through the glass walls, causing too many carbon emissions.
Underfloor heating
Underfloor heating is essentially an “invisible” way of heating your space, and can be cost-effective and versatile. And while it is often more closely associated with tiled or stone floors, it can also be used under carpets, as long as these are not too thick. A system can run on electricity or pumped water.
Radiators
These can be run from your current water system or used as freestanding electrical items. If floor or wall areas are at a premium, some modern designs save space and look attractive. Radiators should be bled over the summer to get rid of any extra air which may have become locked in the system, especially if the unit doesn’t give off heat evenly across its whole surface area.
Fan heaters
These plug in and direct hot or warm air to a particular point of a room. However, this sort of heat isn’t always long-lasting. Equally, these heaters can be noisy and expensive to run. But they will certainly take the edge off the temperature in your conservatory when the mercury dips. A freestanding gas fire is another option, but a unit like this can be hard to move around.
Energy saving blinds
Strong blinds over the extensive glass areas of your conservatory can really help keep the heat in and the thermostat low, so this is one low-cost option.
Solar panels
These can be fitted on a conservatory roof to either heat the conservatory itself or provide power for your home. And this could be a good idea if your home’s existing roof space cannot be used for installing solar panels.
Air con systems
Wall-mounted air con units can offer year-round climate control, keeping your conservatory hot or cool as required, and some models include dehumidifying features, timers and remote control.
With so many options, it should be easy to find a solution that works for you. We can help talk you through the various choices. Finally, remember that soft furnishings, curtains and the kind of flooring you use also play their part in keeping your conservatory cosy.