How do you heat your Conservatory?
How do you control the temperature level in your conservatory?
If you’re like me and have no built-in heating system – you open the windows and doors to the outside when it is too hot, and an internal door to transfer heat from your home when it’s too cold.
The benefits of being able to use your conservatory all year round are tremendous. For some of us it is not just a place to use when the Sun is out, but a spot to sit and contemplate life when it’s raining or to read.
A conservatory is often used as an extra space in which to entertain guests and though this can be extra special in the sunshine, it really is a room to enjoy the view of our gardens through all the seasons.
Perhaps we should give these rooms some extra thought before they are built or even ask the professionals for guidance on do’s and don’ts? How they will link to existing rooms, how they will be heated and which direction they should face to take advantage of the Sun’s rays are all questions you should be asking yourself.
Radiators small or large and as a room feature
Radiators can be linked in to your existing water system or can be free standing electrical items. If you are short of wall and floor space you may find them difficult to incorporate. However, there are some space-saving designs available from the minimal and discrete to the statement pieces that can act as a feature in a room, as with the vase-shaped radiator below.
Image from Hot Interiors
To get the best heating results from your radiators, bleed them during the Summer months. Bleeding them eliminates any excess air that has been locked in the system. You will know if you have a problem as the radiator will be hot at the bottom and cold at the top.
Stand alone Fan Heaters
A plug in fan heater will blow warm and hot air at a point in a room, but the heat will soon dissipate giving you only immediate warmth which may not be long lasting. They can be quite noisy and a distraction if you are wishing for a quieter room, but they will definitely heat your conservatory.
Image from Argos – Fan heater
Air Conditioning systems
If you’re not keen on having items stand on the floor, why not take a look at a wall mounted air conditioning unit? These provide a means for all year round climate control. Depending on the model you choose features can include remote control, built-in dehumidification function, and a timer for added convenience. Stand alone units may again be too big if you have limited space within your conservatory.
Wall mounted Air Conditioning system
Underfloor heating system
Underfloor heating is generally associated with stone or tiled floors, but can be fitted in a carpeted room, providing the carpet is not too thick and stops the heat from rising. Special under floor heating mats can be rolled out to cover larger areas and can also be used under rugs and carpets. It can run on electricity or a pumped water system.
An electrical system is usually easier to install on existing floors, as a water system needs to be embedded in the floor. A series of electric wires or pipe work (for a water system) are laid covering the floor of a room. If you choose a water system, a controlled flow of warm water from a heat source is pumped through plastic tubing.
Both systems are fitted with a sensor that connects to the room thermostat; this allows you to control the temperature and pre-set the system to turn on or off.
Energy Saving Blinds
With a large glass area in the conservatory, blinds will be an additional help to cutting the cold, helping to keep the heat in your conservatory so you don’t have to turn the thermostat up.
The blinds will need to be fitted by a specialist and perhaps tailor made to fit the angles and sections of your glass conservatory roof, however, it is a worthwhile investment.
The blinds can be made from a special material that deflects the cold penetrating through the glass. The blinds are made in a variety of styles, shapes and material colours and will fit in with any colour scheme you may have in your room.
Solaroof
Thanks to advances in technology, the unique Solaroof systems that Anglian Home Improvements offer can make your conservatory more comfortable to sit in by reducing the Sun’s glare and the heat that passes through the roof by as much as 68 per cent. This can help control the temperature of the conservatory during the Summer and Winter months.
Anglian Solaroof
Another perk of the Solaroof is how it dramatically reduces the number of ultra-violet rays entering the room, which can cause furniture to fade.
It is important that the heat you put into your home stays there and is retained in the best possible way. For novices like me, with only a little experience, soft furnishings, curtains and the type of flooring you choose can have a huge influence on your heating bills and the warmth in your room, so make sure you choose a heating system that is most suitable for your way of life.
