Selwyn_Times: April 20, 2022
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2<br />
12<br />
[Edition datE]<br />
Home heating –<br />
electricity, gas or wood?<br />
How you heat your home depends on a<br />
number of factors. Figuring out the best<br />
way to heat your home continues to be a<br />
matter for debate.<br />
Several things are undisputed. A<br />
warm, dry home is essential for<br />
comfort and good health, good<br />
insulation dramatically increases<br />
the efficiency of any heating<br />
system and ventilation is an<br />
important consideration.<br />
Most homes are<br />
heated by electricity,<br />
gas, or wood. In<br />
New Zealand,<br />
heating accounts<br />
for approximately<br />
30 percent of a<br />
home’s annual energy<br />
consumption. There are many<br />
things you can do to reduce<br />
consumption and cost.<br />
The World Health Organisation<br />
recommends a temperature of 18 deg C<br />
for indoor living areas, and slightly less for<br />
bedrooms. It recommends slightly higher<br />
temperatures for vulnerable people – the<br />
elderly and small children. Studies have<br />
shown that indoor temperatures below 12<br />
degrees can disrupt sleep.<br />
Among all these considerations, how<br />
you heat your home is a matter of personal<br />
choice, with many options available.<br />
Heat pumps are generally the most<br />
common and cost-effective form of home<br />
heating in New Zealand. Used properly,<br />
they heat quickly and are convenient.<br />
However, you need to have the right sized<br />
unit for the area and they don’t work when<br />
electricity is not available. They tend to be<br />
room-specific but ducted heat pumps are<br />
becoming more popular and are costeffective,<br />
especially in new builds, but can<br />
also be installed into established homes.<br />
Modern wood burners may be the<br />
closest you can get to an open-fire feel, but<br />
are much more efficient. Wood is generally<br />
a renewable fuel, and if you have a cheap<br />
or free supply, a wood burner may be<br />
the least expensive heating option. They<br />
heat large areas and are not dependent<br />
on electricity but there is the chopping<br />
and stacking to be done, flues need to be<br />
cleaned regularly and older models can<br />
contribute to air pollution and may violate<br />
strict air quality regulations – www.mfe.<br />
govt.nz has detailed information regarding<br />
this.<br />
Pellet fires are typically more efficient<br />
than wood burners but can have a smaller<br />
output. They require electricity but<br />
some have a battery backup and they are<br />
thermostatically controlled with timers.<br />
These must comply with regulations which<br />
are also detailed on the Ministry for the<br />
Environment website.<br />
Gas heating is common and convenient.<br />
Central heating systems can be zone<br />
controlled and provide warm air<br />
circulation. Flued gas heaters are best, as<br />
unflued and portable gas heaters produce<br />
lots of moisture and emit pollutants that<br />
can be unsafe. Flued gas heating systems<br />
can be installed in most homes. They are<br />
fast heating and are relatively inexpensive<br />
to run. However gas is not a renewable<br />
resource and prices can vary widely.<br />
The greatest source of energy is actually<br />
free. Harnessing the sun can dramatically<br />
reduce heating costs and is the most<br />
environmentally friendly way to heat your<br />
home. Passive heating combines insulation<br />
with good design, accomplished more<br />
effectively in new builds but also able to be<br />
incorporated into existing homes.<br />
Getting the sun’s warmth into your<br />
home is a function of the design; keeping<br />
it in is a function of the insulation. There<br />
is a wealth of information online as passive<br />
heating becomes normative in the design<br />
and building industry.<br />
Websites such as energywise.govt.<br />
nz and smarterhomes.org.nz have<br />
comprehensive information on and tips<br />
for, heating your home in the colder<br />
months.<br />
Rolleston 26 Sherborne Drive<br />
Leeston 22 Petticoat Lane<br />
If sun is important- this is the one!<br />
Located in the popular & family friendly community of Faringdon, sits<br />
this very sunny 179sqm four-bedroom home. Upon entry the fourth<br />
bedroom is positioned to be utilised as a work from home space or<br />
keep as a bedroom. The light & sunny North facing living offers two<br />
seating areas within a large open plan space, & the modern kitchen<br />
complete with stylish stone bench tops is right in the heart of the<br />
home, overlooking the dining & twin living areas. The further 3 double<br />
bedrooms are located down the hallway at the other end of the home,<br />
all on the North side to absorb the natural warmth from the sun, and<br />
all with ranch sliders to the back yard.<br />
Property Brokers Ltd Licensed REAA <strong>20</strong>08 | pb.co.nz<br />
4 2 1 2<br />
Deadline Sale closes Thursday 28th<br />
<strong>April</strong>, <strong>20</strong>22 at 1.00pm<br />
View Sun 24 Apr 2.30 - 3.00pm<br />
Web pb.co.nz/ROU100403<br />
Angela Hunt<br />
M 021 548 777<br />
Chris Moore<br />
M 027 288 0563<br />
Build & Landbank!<br />
Price guide neg over $499,000<br />
An exciting opportunity for a lucky purchaser to secure this fantastic<br />
parcel of 3175m2 (approx.) and build or relocate the home you have<br />
been dreaming of, and enjoy life in the quaint little township of<br />
Doyleston. There is further opportunity to subdivide later (in a few<br />
years) if you want, or just keep enjoying as your own slice of semi-rural<br />
paradise. 2 mins drive to Leeston township, school bus picks up and<br />
drops off 2 mins walk, 15 min drive to Lincoln or Rolleston Consents<br />
are being lodged, and the title would be expected in approx. 8 months<br />
time. This is a fantastic opportunity so be quick to secure this as your<br />
own! Deadline sale Thursday 28th <strong>April</strong><br />
Property Brokers Ltd Licensed REAA <strong>20</strong>08 | pb.co.nz<br />
Deadline Sale closes Thursday 28th<br />
<strong>April</strong>, <strong>20</strong>22 at 12.00pm, (unless sold<br />
prior)<br />
View By appointment<br />
Web pb.co.nz/ROU13580<br />
Angela Hunt<br />
M 021 548 777<br />
Chris Moore<br />
M 027 288 0563