With the imminent weather change, many people are considering their heating options. Getting the heating right is crucial to make your home feel cozy and comfortable in the winter season.
Are you thinking of getting a gas heater for your home? Well, you are not the only one. Gas heaters are a popular mode of heating. With that in mind, we at Garbers Plumbing can advise you on the right type of heater for your space and an obligation-free quote for its installation.
Understanding Gas Heaters:
Due to their ecological advantages, many people prefer them over electric heaters and air conditioners. An efficient gas heater can return good value for your money and be gentler to the environment.
Gas heaters operate with reticulated natural gas (gas connected to your home) or bottled LPG. Being on the Mid North Coast of NSW Natural Gas is currently not available so LPG is the only option. A heater designed for natural gas will not work with LPG, and vice versa. So, you need to make sure that you have the right model for the type of gas available. Again, we at Garbers Plumbing will help you out with all of that.
Types of Gas Heaters:
Different types of gas heaters deal with these by-products differently.
- Flued heaters direct the fumes out of the room using a flue (a pipe) and the buying and installation costs are generally higher. But their mechanism ensures that the carbon monoxide and water vapor are expelled from the room, which is safer for the inhabitants. At the same time, this can cause a small amount of heat loss and reduce the efficiency of the heating process.
- Portable or unflued heaters discharge their fumes and water vapor inside the room they are heating. Australian standards and regulations strictly limit the emissions permitted by a heater. But even then, you will need to keep the room ventilated.
Things to keep in mind when using gas heating:
- Gas heaters need to be professionally serviced every few years to ensure they are functioning safely and efficiently.
- Do not use an outdoor heater indoors. Outdoor heaters don’t operate on the same emission standards as indoor gas heaters. If left on indoors for several hours, they can release a dangerous volume of carbon monoxide and other gases.
- If you use a gas heater of any kind, then you should install a carbon monoxide alarm as well. These alarms are readily available in local hardware stores. The simple device could save your life, in case the heater develops any defects, and starts to emit unsafe volumes of the deadly gas.
How can I save money and make heating my rooms cheaper?
Make your home thermally efficient
The first step to reduce the costs for heating your home is to make sure your home can keep the heat inside in winter and outside in summer.
- Get rid of draughts. Properly seal your windows and doors. Use draught-excluders if required, and seal off the rooms that are not heated.
- Ensure proper insulation. Properly insulate the ceilings, walls, and floors to keep the heat inside the room. Rugs can provide adequate protection for your floors. Even thick curtains and blinds can help keep the heat from escaping through windows and doors.
Carefully plan ahead
Think properly about the kind of heating you will require well in advance. Have a plan ready before winter comes.
- Buy a heater ahead of winter (stores don’t often sell heaters until winter arrives so, this is not always easy) and beat the rush of getting it installed. Another option is to get one in a clearance sale right after winter and store it for next year (this will be a lot cheaper too!).
- Clean all the air filters before the cold arrives to keep the heater running efficiently, maybe even get it serviced.
Get the right size
Make sure you get the right-size heater for the area you want to warm up. There are several factors to think of when choosing a heater for your space. Consider-
- the average climate your area
- the amount of natural sunlight the rooms receive
- the floor area and the ceiling height
- the insulation and carpeting in the rooms
- also, whether the rooms adjacent have heating
If you are looking for a service that can advise you on how to choose the right heating system for your space, Garbers Plumbing is here for you.
General care to keep the costs low:
- Only turn the heater on if you need to. This point might sound obvious, but it is very natural to develop the habit of frequently switching it on. Sometimes, just putting on a sweater is enough.
- Only heat the rooms you commonly use.
- Consider using a ceiling-fan with reverse-direction. At a slow speed, it can help distribute the hot air more evenly in the room.
Safety Tips for Gas Heaters
If you already have a gas heater in your homes, here are a few safety tips to follow before use:
- Check air vents and filters are clean
- Check the bayonet fittings and hoses for leaks
If you are unsure about what steps to take, contact Garbers Plumbing to arrange a prompt service call.
Also, remember to DO NOT–
- use heater for clothes drying
- obstruct air vents
- store flammables near the heater
- or leave children unsupervised while the heater is on
We hope the article will help you make the right decision to make your home cozy and comfortable. Let us know if you have any more questions about gas heaters or our services!