Guide to heating your home
Don’t let the winter chills bring you down – stay warm with Latest Interiors’ guide to heating your home effectively and stylishly
Traditional radiators are perfect in period properties. Colour by Crown Paints, www.crownpaints.co.uk
Winter hasn’t really got its teeth into us yet, but there’s still plenty of time for the temperature to drop. And when it does, how will you be keeping warm? Mass uptake of central heating was a 20th century phenomenon, freeing householders from the daily toil of cleaning and stoking stoves and fires, and dramatically improving winter living conditions. 21st century technologies, and our need to conserve energy and the environment, make heating choices more complex.
A warm glow
A while back, Latest Interiors took a trip to Sri Lanka, travelling, meeting locals and – of course – checking out local art and artisans (see www.paradiseroadsl.com for fabulous Sri Lankan style – and they ship). Discussing cultural differences one night, we were asked: “We’ve seen a lot of the UK on TV and in the papers, but we don’t understand – How do you keep your houses warm?” We did our best to describe central heating, but our new friends shook their heads: heat running through pipes into every room was almost unbelievable. Well, living in a climate like that, it would be…
In the absence of tropical winters, most British homes still use radiators and central heating to stay warm. However, the technology has changed for the better (gas fired boilers fitted since April 07 must be a high efficiency condensing model), and the style choices are almost bewildering.
Radiating style
The key is to match your radiator to the style of your home, and the specific needs of each room. Consider position: if your radiators are wall-mounted, would floor-standing work better? Would low-level be less obtrusive than more traditional styles? And are they in the right place? Radiators work best when they’re positioned in the coldest part of a room, usually against an outside wall. If in doubt, seek expert advice.
Traditionalists love cast-iron radiators. First constructed in the 19th century, they became a familiar feature in many early and mid-20th century homes. Surprisingly heat efficient, originals (and modern reproductions) are fabulous for use in period homes. Cast iron radiators are also available in solid, modern styles: a nice alternative to flat-panels if your home is contemporary.
Stylish and neat, flat-panel radiators work well in modern interiors. Wall-hung radiators are the best choice for smaller rooms, as they leave the floor clear. If you want a masculine, industrial feel, consider tube-style radiators: low-lying, with a coiled or ‘finned’ appearance. Glass radiators give a really light, modern feel. If you want a really unique look, choose a Cinier – a wall-hung panel of reconstructed stone (often disguised as art or sculpture) that radiates heat.
Something afoot
However stylish modern radiators may be, there are alternatives. If you want to save money, de-clutter your walls and free up space, then underfloor heating may be just the thing. These surprisingly inexpensive systems place an element that warms a heat-spreading device under your flooring, moving warm air upwards through your home. Originally used mainly for stone or tiled floors, there is now a system to suit virtually any flooring. ‘Wet’ underfloor systems use heated water, can be integrated with an existing central heating system, and are up to 30 per cent more efficient than radiators. ‘Dry’ or electric systems are more costly, but they may be better suited to trickier floors such as lino or carpet.
Warmer still…
No heating system is really efficient unless your home is properly insulated, and this could save you money (while saving the environment). It is also possible to partly (or completely) heat your home using alternative, eco-friendly methods: Geothermal heating systems, solar panels or even wind power can provide a cheap, green supplement to existing arrangements. A woodburning stove (in smokefree areas) is another great green idea for keeping warm and cosy. Winter? It may be fashionably late, but we’ll be VERY fashionably ready for it…
Tall, wall-hung modern radiators work well in smaller, contemporary spaces. Colours by Crown Paints www.crownpaints.co.uk
