Unfortunately, many Otago homes are under-heated, leading to cold and damp conditions and seasonal misery. Traditionally, kiwi houses were built without efficient heating sources or central heating, meaning most of us have to space heat or retrofit our homes to make them healthy.
Why Should You Heat Your Home?
But...It’s Too Expensive
Once you’ve prevented heat loss and reduced moisture sources in the home, you are ready to heat. There are a wide range of space heating options available, with different price points.
Here we explore some of the different types of heating available, associated costs, and some pros and cons of each.
Why Should You Heat Your Home?
- A healthy home is a warm home! Cold homes can lead to serious respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.
- Get rid of the winter blues – some UK studies show that increasing your bedroom temperature reduces depression.
- Heated homes are less damp, due to heating sources drying out the air, and reduce the opportunity for condensation to occur where warm air and cold air collide, such as around windows.
But...It’s Too Expensive
- Long-term, the costs to your health and wellbeing are far greater than the cost to heat your home today.
- Most homes can be heated efficiently, for a reasonable cost, if you take measures to reduce moisture and prevent heat loss. Many of these measures are free or very low cost!
- Some households may qualify for central or local government subsidies to help get your home warm, and reasonable financing options are available in some areas.
Once you’ve prevented heat loss and reduced moisture sources in the home, you are ready to heat. There are a wide range of space heating options available, with different price points.
Here we explore some of the different types of heating available, associated costs, and some pros and cons of each.
