Whether you choose a traditional fire or an integrated heating system, any home can be warm and well ventilated. The aesthetics and cosy ambience of freestanding, open wood fires, gas fires, fire boxes and environmentally friendly bioethanol fires are always popular, or for a more streamlined, minimalist look, you may prefer central heating, a diesel or wood-fired boiler, radiator or heat pump. And with outdoor heating, you’ll enjoy spending more time outside.

Heating, ventilation and fireplaces

The type of heating system you choose will have a significant impact on the way a home is experienced, as well as the overall cost of heating, or cooling. Every house is different and what works well for one home may not be the best solution for the next.

Things to consider from the outset include the size of the spaces that need to be heated. For example, if you live in an older home, do you have high ceilings? These rooms generally require more resources to heat than those with lower ceilings. What amount of sun does space receive throughout the day? Can this be maximised in any way? How much time do you spend in the spaces you need to heat? The answer to these questions will determine the types of heating and ventilation systems that may be the best option for your home. It’s always best to discuss the options with an architect or designer early in the building process.

Central heating and cooling

Central heating systems are designed as a whole-house heating solution. Generally, they are easiest to install as a house is being built, but many can be retrofitted.

These types of heating systems work by generating heat at a central point, generally with a boiler, and distributing it around the house through piping or ducting to vents in each room.

Central heating is popular because it is convenient to use, especially in terms of zoning. Most modern central heating systems can be separated into zones and will only heat those areas of the house that are being used. 

They are easily controlled with thermostats and timers but central heating systems can be expensive to install. While their heating is generally very good, if your home is draughty or isn’t well insulated, central heating is generally not the most cost-effective heating option to choose.

Underfloor heating

Underfloor heating is designed as a primary heat source for the home and is generally run with a water system in which heat is generated by heat pumps or gas, wood or diesel boilers. A series of ducted pipes set into the floor heat the home, transferring the heated water from the central boiler to each room.

This type of heating is generally considered one of the higher end options for home heating because it delivers an even, radiant heat throughout the house and hard floor surfaces are warm to touch. Another benefit of underfloor heating is its concealment; none of the elements is visible within the home, unlike most other heating options.

Fireplaces

Efficient, modern wood burners are often the cheapest way to heat a home.

They’re also a popular option for large spaces as they’ll easily heat oversized and open plan areas. If a heat transfer system is installed, the heat produced can be moved to different areas of the home, reducing the need for secondary heating systems. Wood burners can also double as a hot water heating system, heating hot water when they are being used through a wetback set up.

Woodburners are also arguably the most effective way to heat houses that are poorly insulated or draughty.

In comparison to modern woodburners, open fires are particularly ineffective as a primary heat source.

While open fires are aesthetically alluring, the majority of the heat created escapes up the chimney rather than entering the room. The other problem with open fires is heat escaping the home when they are not being used. This can create additional loads on electricity usage as other forms of heating need to work harder to account for the heat lost up the chimney.

However, wood is a renewable fuel source as long as the trees being cut down are replaced, it is a carbon neutral method of heating.

The contemporary options for both indoor and outdoor fires are vast, and open fires and wood burners remain popular home heating options.

Heaters

Heaters are generally relatively cheap to purchase compared to other heating systems and are easy to move around and good for heating small spaces such as bedrooms, or for use by one person. However, they are one of the most expensive ways to heat a house and their heat output is lower than many other heating options.

Electric panel and oil fin column heaters are most efficient in well-insulated homes that don’t need a lot of heating to achieve ambient temperature.

For homes that aren’t well insulated or are older, electric radiant heaters are a more efficient option. Radiant heaters work differently to traditional heaters. Instead of heating an entire space by heating the air, radiant heaters warm only the people and objects in space, saving significant resources.

Heat pumps

Heat pumps are generally cost efficient to run when used properly, produce instant heat and are easily controlled with thermostats and timers. However, they must be correctly sized to provide a cost-efficient heating solution. One drawback of heat pumps is that if they are the only heating system in a home, there is no way to heat the house in a power cut. Heat pumps are also popular in areas where there is significant air pollution and wood burners or open fires may not be used to heat a home.

The heat from the underfloor system can be produced by air-to-water and geothermal heat pumps or by boilers fuelled by gas, diesel or wood.

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)

There are many different types of all-in-one and multi-system heating, ventilation and air conditioning options for the home. Heat recovery ventilation (HRV) systems are popular, using positive air pressure to push stale air out of the house and reduce the risk of condensation, mould and mildew. HRV systems draw warm air out of the ceiling space and disperse it throughout the house. At the same time an HRV system pushes warm, dry air into the home, it forces damp, cold air out of the house.