Traditional forms of heating use a lot of energy but don’t necessarily keep our homes warm enough, but as we are all aware, a warm home is vital for your comfort and health. The World Health Organisation’s recommended minimum indoor temperature is 18°C in living areas and 16°C in bedrooms. Recommendations for babies and elderly people are even higher.
In New Zealand, heating is expensive (typically accounting for about 30 per cent of a household’s annual energy consumption), and as energy prices rise and houses are getting bigger it is likely to cost even more. Most people use electricity, gas or wood to heat their homes. Newer heating systems are more energy efficient and can reduce your power bills, while simple actions can make your existing heating options more efficient.
Remember, insulating your home reduces the amount of heating you need to keep your home at a comfortable temperature, and all forms of heating have effects on the environment, so it is important to consider these issues when you are looking at the different options available. Coal, gas and oil-fired (collectively ‘thermal’) generation of electricity typically make up about 20-25 per cent of New Zealand’s total annual electricity supply – a process that produces greenhouse gases which contribute to climate change.
Due to network losses, the use of natural gas and LPG in the home is typically more energy efficient than electricity generated by burning fossil fuels. However, their combustion still produces greenhouse gas emissions and any gas appliance should be flued or well ventilated when used. Sustainably sourced wood and electricity generated through renewable sources such as hydro, wind and solar produce the lowest net greenhouse gas emissions.
If you want to effectively heat your home and potentially save some pennies in these cooler months, then not only does a good heat source count, but it needs to be in conjunction with a well-insulated and energy efficient home. As Anthem Homes say, “We are people working with people, and ensure that our clients receive an Anthem Home, built with excellence”, and for more information on house and land packages, designer homes Hamilton and show homes Hamilton please go to https://anthemhomes.co.nz .
