| HEATING that wont cost THE EARTH |
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Heating Options in the Wakatipu
Peak Plumbing have been involved in the central heating industry for years
installing a variety of heating systems in Europe and New Zealand.
We are passionate about trying to help our customers find the best solution for their
heating needs. There are a lot of factors that will determine which is the best option for
you, but the best advice we can give you is to make sure you know what you are doing
before you start building.
There are many ways to heat your house and they pretty much always sit somewhere on
what we call the scale of sods law. That is, the cheaper and more comfortable the
heating is to run the more expensive it is to install.
We have only listed the most common heating methods here. There are other systems
available which we have not mentioned, not because we don't think they are adequate,
just I don't want to go on for ever.!
Peak Plumbing have been involved in the central heating industry for years
installing a variety of heating systems in Europe and New Zealand.
We are passionate about trying to help our customers find the best solution for their
heating needs. There are a lot of factors that will determine which is the best option for
you, but the best advice we can give you is to make sure you know what you are doing
before you start building.
There are many ways to heat your house and they pretty much always sit somewhere on
what we call the scale of sods law. That is, the cheaper and more comfortable the
heating is to run the more expensive it is to install.
We have only listed the most common heating methods here. There are other systems
available which we have not mentioned, not because we don't think they are adequate,
just I don't want to go on for ever.!
See Steve's tips below
for helpful advice on
heating your house
for helpful advice on
heating your house
Its really important to talk
to talk to people you know
who have a heating
system that you are
interested in, but make
sure you are comparing
apples with apples when
they tell you how much it
costs to run.
For example a family who
have young children not
at school, are going to
have the heating running
for an additional 40 hours
more than a young
couple who work all day.
to talk to people you know
who have a heating
system that you are
interested in, but make
sure you are comparing
apples with apples when
they tell you how much it
costs to run.
For example a family who
have young children not
at school, are going to
have the heating running
for an additional 40 hours
more than a young
couple who work all day.
Below we have given you a quick overview in our opinion of the different ways you can heat your house
starting with the least expensive and easiest to install to the most expensive. All our price guide lines
are for an average 200 sq mtr home and are shown for comparative reasons. Installed costs are for
supply and installation on a straight forward situation and running costs are annually for a family who
are out of the house during week days.
starting with the least expensive and easiest to install to the most expensive. All our price guide lines
are for an average 200 sq mtr home and are shown for comparative reasons. Installed costs are for
supply and installation on a straight forward situation and running costs are annually for a family who
are out of the house during week days.
The good old solid fuel burner. Still one of the most common heat sources in New
Zealand, great for heating a small area and can be used in conjunction with a heat
transfer kit to spread the heat throughout the house. Most commonly use wood as
the fuel source as its the most renewable but some can use more dirty fuels like coal.
With the extreme cold winters in the Wakatipu they do need constant fueling which
means constant wood chopping and stacking, they can be relatively efficient and
environmentally friendly if you use a modern burner with a low emission rate.
These fires can work well for a house when tied in with a solar system providing good
all year round hot water supply for a cheap cost.
If you do intend on using a wet back be aware that the hot water system does take a
fair amount of the heat away from the supply for the house.
The major benefit of these burners are that they don't need power.
Zealand, great for heating a small area and can be used in conjunction with a heat
transfer kit to spread the heat throughout the house. Most commonly use wood as
the fuel source as its the most renewable but some can use more dirty fuels like coal.
With the extreme cold winters in the Wakatipu they do need constant fueling which
means constant wood chopping and stacking, they can be relatively efficient and
environmentally friendly if you use a modern burner with a low emission rate.
These fires can work well for a house when tied in with a solar system providing good
all year round hot water supply for a cheap cost.
If you do intend on using a wet back be aware that the hot water system does take a
fair amount of the heat away from the supply for the house.
The major benefit of these burners are that they don't need power.
Air to Air heat pumps. These are the type of heaters you generally see fixed to the
wall, they take a large amount of outside air temperature and squeeze it to give you a
small amount of high temperature for heating your house.
These are cheap to install and run..
Be aware that the advertised running costs are generally rated on the outside air
temperature being above 5 degrees and as the outside temperature lowers so does
the efficiency, in fact some machines will not work below certain temperatures and just
end up pushing cold air around your house.
These units are improving all the time with the temperatures they can work in and the
increasing efficiency of the system.
Major benefit is that you can have cooling in the summer.
wall, they take a large amount of outside air temperature and squeeze it to give you a
small amount of high temperature for heating your house.
These are cheap to install and run..
Be aware that the advertised running costs are generally rated on the outside air
temperature being above 5 degrees and as the outside temperature lowers so does
the efficiency, in fact some machines will not work below certain temperatures and just
end up pushing cold air around your house.
These units are improving all the time with the temperatures they can work in and the
increasing efficiency of the system.
Major benefit is that you can have cooling in the summer.
Installed cost $2.2k
Running cost $0.8k
Running cost $0.8k
Installed cost $4k
Running cost $2k
Running cost $2k
Gas energy savers. These are the gas versions of Air to Air heat pumps they
operate by blowing flame heated air into the room. Some people don't like this type of
heating because it uses forced air and this can make your eyes dry and give you the
feeling of a draught.
Like a solid fuel burner they are still primarily used to heat the room they are placed
in.
These have the advantage over heat pumps when the outside air temperature is
below zero as they heat their own air.
They are flued to the outside so they can go in bedrooms and don't have the
condensation issues of non flued gas heaters. They also have thermostatic control.
It is possible to run them on a timer and they have economy modes to reduce running
costs.
Remembering to change the gas bottles is the major pain with these units but in a
power cut they can be run in conjunction with a small generator.
Major benefit of these systems is having good instantaneous heat on a timer even in
coldest periods.
operate by blowing flame heated air into the room. Some people don't like this type of
heating because it uses forced air and this can make your eyes dry and give you the
feeling of a draught.
Like a solid fuel burner they are still primarily used to heat the room they are placed
in.
These have the advantage over heat pumps when the outside air temperature is
below zero as they heat their own air.
They are flued to the outside so they can go in bedrooms and don't have the
condensation issues of non flued gas heaters. They also have thermostatic control.
It is possible to run them on a timer and they have economy modes to reduce running
costs.
Remembering to change the gas bottles is the major pain with these units but in a
power cut they can be run in conjunction with a small generator.
Major benefit of these systems is having good instantaneous heat on a timer even in
coldest periods.
Installed cost $3k
Running cost $1.6k
Running cost $1.6k
| Links to great sites on heating |
Electric in slab heating. This is where electric cables are placed within the
concrete slab. The cables are well protected by insulation and earth shielded to
make sure they are very safe. This is about the cheapest way to get full in slab
heating as
there is not a huge amount of labour required and apart from fixing the cable to the
mesh the main cost is the price of the cable.
The average wattage for the system is 150 watts per square meter and running
costs vary depending on if you use the night rate heating cycle only and how much
you can get the electricity suppliers charge down (good luck).
Be careful where the fuse board is placed as when the power switches on and off
due to the thermostat reaching temperature it makes quite a clunking noise.
Major benefit is it has a low capital outlay for whole house heating.
concrete slab. The cables are well protected by insulation and earth shielded to
make sure they are very safe. This is about the cheapest way to get full in slab
heating as
there is not a huge amount of labour required and apart from fixing the cable to the
mesh the main cost is the price of the cable.
The average wattage for the system is 150 watts per square meter and running
costs vary depending on if you use the night rate heating cycle only and how much
you can get the electricity suppliers charge down (good luck).
Be careful where the fuse board is placed as when the power switches on and off
due to the thermostat reaching temperature it makes quite a clunking noise.
Major benefit is it has a low capital outlay for whole house heating.
Keep the heat in
One of the key factors
with the running cost of
any heating system is
keeping the heat in, New
Zealand has high running
costs for heating systems
so its important to keep
as much of the heated
energy in the house as
possible when you have
spent a lot on creating it .
For any in slab heating
we recommend 100mm
insulation in the base, it is
possible to use 50mm
gold foam to have a
100mm rating at 50mm
depth.
One of the key factors
with the running cost of
any heating system is
keeping the heat in, New
Zealand has high running
costs for heating systems
so its important to keep
as much of the heated
energy in the house as
possible when you have
spent a lot on creating it .
For any in slab heating
we recommend 100mm
insulation in the base, it is
possible to use 50mm
gold foam to have a
100mm rating at 50mm
depth.
Installed cost $6k
Running cost ??
Running cost ??
In Slab heating
In slab heating is by far
the most comfortable way
to heat your house as the
heat is transferred into
your body via your feet,
the heat area is from the
floor to about 2 meters
high so this suits houses
with high ceilings.
Your heat source will
determine the best way to
install the underfloor, as a
screed system will have a
faster response time and
suit a system that will be
turned on and off a lot
and a deep slab system
will suit a thermal mass
design of a system that
will be running constantly
with thick floor coverings.
Be aware that the
running cost of in slab
heating will be higher for
the first winter as it takes
time to dry the slab out
from the initial
construction and energy
from the heating system
will be soaked up for this
purpose.
Under floor heating is not
generally a very good
idea for holiday homes as
they take a few days to
initially heat the house
and are most economical
when they are left to run
through the whole winter.
In slab heating is by far
the most comfortable way
to heat your house as the
heat is transferred into
your body via your feet,
the heat area is from the
floor to about 2 meters
high so this suits houses
with high ceilings.
Your heat source will
determine the best way to
install the underfloor, as a
screed system will have a
faster response time and
suit a system that will be
turned on and off a lot
and a deep slab system
will suit a thermal mass
design of a system that
will be running constantly
with thick floor coverings.
Be aware that the
running cost of in slab
heating will be higher for
the first winter as it takes
time to dry the slab out
from the initial
construction and energy
from the heating system
will be soaked up for this
purpose.
Under floor heating is not
generally a very good
idea for holiday homes as
they take a few days to
initially heat the house
and are most economical
when they are left to run
through the whole winter.
Gas central heating. Gas central heating in the Wakatipu is quite expensive
because we mostly use bottled LPG gas $0.18 per KW, these systems are much
cheaper to run in the North Island as they have reticulated natural gas $0.08 per KW.
They do suit a smaller house or small holiday home as they are cheap to install and
only need a small area of wall space for installation, probably best suited to radiators
for quick responsive heating that can be turned on and off frequently.
They are quiet running boilers and are fully programmable. There are also
condensing versions on the market that have a slightly higher efficiency than the
standard flue type.
Keep an eye on your gas bottles as suddenly losing heat and having to wait a few
days for delivery is a pain.
Major benefit is the cheap installation cost and space saving boiler.
because we mostly use bottled LPG gas $0.18 per KW, these systems are much
cheaper to run in the North Island as they have reticulated natural gas $0.08 per KW.
They do suit a smaller house or small holiday home as they are cheap to install and
only need a small area of wall space for installation, probably best suited to radiators
for quick responsive heating that can be turned on and off frequently.
They are quiet running boilers and are fully programmable. There are also
condensing versions on the market that have a slightly higher efficiency than the
standard flue type.
Keep an eye on your gas bottles as suddenly losing heat and having to wait a few
days for delivery is a pain.
Major benefit is the cheap installation cost and space saving boiler.
Installed cost $18k
Running cost
Radiators $2.5k
In slab $3k
Running cost
Radiators $2.5k
In slab $3k
Diesel central heating, At present this is the most common central heating type in
the Wakatipu. In the past, with diesel being relatively cheaper these were a good
choice. They are quite reliable boilers and have the benefit of running for long
periods without filling the fuel tank as you can have up to a 1000 ltrs of fuel on site
with out any special license requirement.
Suitable for radiators or underfloor heating systems
They were noisy in the past but the modern boilers are a lot quieter and vertical flue
types can have silencers fitted.
It is possible to get them converted to bio diesel versions by changing the burner.
Also outside models are available so they don't have to take up space indoors.
Major benefit is a low running cost for larger house's with a relatively low installation
cost.
the Wakatipu. In the past, with diesel being relatively cheaper these were a good
choice. They are quite reliable boilers and have the benefit of running for long
periods without filling the fuel tank as you can have up to a 1000 ltrs of fuel on site
with out any special license requirement.
Suitable for radiators or underfloor heating systems
They were noisy in the past but the modern boilers are a lot quieter and vertical flue
types can have silencers fitted.
It is possible to get them converted to bio diesel versions by changing the burner.
Also outside models are available so they don't have to take up space indoors.
Major benefit is a low running cost for larger house's with a relatively low installation
cost.
Installed cost $20k
Running cost
Radiator $1.7k
In slab $2k
Running cost
Radiator $1.7k
In slab $2k
Installed cost $20k
Running cost $1.5k
Running cost $1.5k
Air to Water heat pump central heating. These units operate on the same
principle as Air to Air heat pumps but they generate warm water instead for distribution
around the house via hydraulic pipework. They are most commonly used in
conjunction with underfloor heating as they generate about 50 degrees water. It is
possible to use them in conjunction with fan assisted radiators though.
It is important to try and keep the base unit in a sunny spot as this will give you the
best efficiency from the system although they do have an electric back up device so
you can get heating in sub zero temperatures.
With an average conversion rate of 250% they are economical units to run. As they
still are effected by outside air temperature it is best to heat your house during the
day and let the heat emit from the slab over night.
These systems are most efficient when left to run all winter not letting the slab cool
down unless you are going to use the screed system.
Best suited to small to mid size house's as the larger units require 3 phase power and
the line rental charges for these often off set the savings.
Major benefit is the cheap running cost with a comparatively low capital outlay.
principle as Air to Air heat pumps but they generate warm water instead for distribution
around the house via hydraulic pipework. They are most commonly used in
conjunction with underfloor heating as they generate about 50 degrees water. It is
possible to use them in conjunction with fan assisted radiators though.
It is important to try and keep the base unit in a sunny spot as this will give you the
best efficiency from the system although they do have an electric back up device so
you can get heating in sub zero temperatures.
With an average conversion rate of 250% they are economical units to run. As they
still are effected by outside air temperature it is best to heat your house during the
day and let the heat emit from the slab over night.
These systems are most efficient when left to run all winter not letting the slab cool
down unless you are going to use the screed system.
Best suited to small to mid size house's as the larger units require 3 phase power and
the line rental charges for these often off set the savings.
Major benefit is the cheap running cost with a comparatively low capital outlay.
Wood Pellet central heating, Wood pellet boilers are more efficient than wood
burning boilers and have the advantage of being programmable. They also use a
hopper for automatic feeding so you don't have to load the burning chamber regularly
as with their log cousins.
They use pellets made from wood with a consistent burning level so they have much
lower emissions than log burners. They also have a more consistent heat output.
These boilers are about the most environmentally friendly heat sources you can get
as the pellets come from renewable timber and they have the lowest emission rate
than all other heat sources when you take into account the energy used to make
electricity.
They do need continual maintenance though like emptying the ash pan. It is also
worth considering that the pellet bags weigh about 25kg.
Major benefit is having solid fuel potential with low emissions.
burning boilers and have the advantage of being programmable. They also use a
hopper for automatic feeding so you don't have to load the burning chamber regularly
as with their log cousins.
They use pellets made from wood with a consistent burning level so they have much
lower emissions than log burners. They also have a more consistent heat output.
These boilers are about the most environmentally friendly heat sources you can get
as the pellets come from renewable timber and they have the lowest emission rate
than all other heat sources when you take into account the energy used to make
electricity.
They do need continual maintenance though like emptying the ash pan. It is also
worth considering that the pellet bags weigh about 25kg.
Major benefit is having solid fuel potential with low emissions.
Installed cost $28k
Running cost
Radiator $1.5k
In slab $2k
Running cost
Radiator $1.5k
In slab $2k
Geo thermal central heating, Geo thermal or Ground source heat pumps are
without doubt the cheapest way to heat a house. They work in the same way as Air
to Water heat pumps, but use the ground temperature as the supply source for the
heat pump. At 2 meters deep the ground in the Wakatipu is about 12 degrees
despite the outside air temperature. This means the heat pump does not have to try
to lift the temperature from sub zero situations making it much more efficient and
guarantees cheap heating all winter.
Ground source heat pumps work best in conjunction with underfloor heating and are
about the size of a washing machine. Unlike all other heat pumps they don't need a
fan so they are much quieter.
There are many ways to install the ground collection field, the cheapest is the big pit,
but you need about three times the size of your heating area for this bed. At the
other end of the scale is the vertical loop type where you can drill 3 to 6 small
diameter holes 100 meters deep, these hole can be drilled in any small garden but
cost about 10k a hole.
Major benefits are being able to have full house under floor heating, for the same
running cost of a wood fire !!
without doubt the cheapest way to heat a house. They work in the same way as Air
to Water heat pumps, but use the ground temperature as the supply source for the
heat pump. At 2 meters deep the ground in the Wakatipu is about 12 degrees
despite the outside air temperature. This means the heat pump does not have to try
to lift the temperature from sub zero situations making it much more efficient and
guarantees cheap heating all winter.
Ground source heat pumps work best in conjunction with underfloor heating and are
about the size of a washing machine. Unlike all other heat pumps they don't need a
fan so they are much quieter.
There are many ways to install the ground collection field, the cheapest is the big pit,
but you need about three times the size of your heating area for this bed. At the
other end of the scale is the vertical loop type where you can drill 3 to 6 small
diameter holes 100 meters deep, these hole can be drilled in any small garden but
cost about 10k a hole.
Major benefits are being able to have full house under floor heating, for the same
running cost of a wood fire !!
Installed cost $40k
Running cost $1k
(based on pit type)
Running cost $1k
(based on pit type)
One of our Ground source heating jobs in Dalefield
Different types of collection
field
field
Radiator heating
Heating your house by
radiator is how most
houses in Europe are
heated, although they do
radiate heat (hence the
name) the main way they
heat is by convection, this
is where heat rises and
then falls as it cools
creating a slow circle of
heat around the room.
They are best placed
near the coldest part of
the room like near an out
side door or under a
window. This creates a
heat blanket in front of
the cold area and stops
any possible draft as
warm air tends to move to
the coldest place.
Because they are
primarily convector's it is
fine to put them behind
couches etc.
Radiators are generally
the cheapest type of heat
distribution to use as they
are very responsive, your
house can be heated
from cold to hot in about
half an hour.
Rooms can be better
controlled individually
than with under floor
heating as under floor still
leeches between rooms
when areas are isolated.
With radiators you are
only paying for the rooms
you are using.
Due to their rapid heat up
times radiators are
generally better suited to
holiday homes.
If you are using radiators
and have a high vaulted
type ceiling you will need
a fan to keep the heat
down.
Heating your house by
radiator is how most
houses in Europe are
heated, although they do
radiate heat (hence the
name) the main way they
heat is by convection, this
is where heat rises and
then falls as it cools
creating a slow circle of
heat around the room.
They are best placed
near the coldest part of
the room like near an out
side door or under a
window. This creates a
heat blanket in front of
the cold area and stops
any possible draft as
warm air tends to move to
the coldest place.
Because they are
primarily convector's it is
fine to put them behind
couches etc.
Radiators are generally
the cheapest type of heat
distribution to use as they
are very responsive, your
house can be heated
from cold to hot in about
half an hour.
Rooms can be better
controlled individually
than with under floor
heating as under floor still
leeches between rooms
when areas are isolated.
With radiators you are
only paying for the rooms
you are using.
Due to their rapid heat up
times radiators are
generally better suited to
holiday homes.
If you are using radiators
and have a high vaulted
type ceiling you will need
a fan to keep the heat
down.
Cost comparison
Calculator
At Peak Plumbing we use
computer software that
will show you the different
running costs of multiple
heat source types from
Gas to Geo thermal.
If you have an energy
efficiency report we can
even show you the
estimated heating costs
for your house.
Calculator
At Peak Plumbing we use
computer software that
will show you the different
running costs of multiple
heat source types from
Gas to Geo thermal.
If you have an energy
efficiency report we can
even show you the
estimated heating costs
for your house.