Hottest heating deals in town

A warm home is essential to good health, but how can that be achieved without blowing the budget?
The key is to be selective about what areas of the house you heat, choose an appropriate form of heating and prevent as much heat loss as you can.
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) chief executive Mike Underhill said there were a range of energy-efficient options available, with comparatively low running costs and little or no air pollution.
"A warm, dry home is not just a lot nicer to live in, it's also healthier.
"Simple things like closing your curtains at sunset, heating only the areas you're using, learning to use your timer and thermostat controls properly and using dry firewood can really make a difference to a home's comfort and running costs."
But he said the key to economical heating was insulation, which prevented heat escaping through walls, ceilings and windows.
"Without good insulation, any heating will have to work harder to keep your home warm. There is government funding available to help."
Heating a whole house when you use only two or three rooms is a waste of energy and money, so think about where you need heating and decide on the best method of achieving this.
If your heater is too small or not powerful enough, you will struggle to heat the space and the heater will be running for longer periods, pushing costs up. A large, powerful heater in a small room uses more energy than is needed and can lead to overheating.
EECA's Energywise website - www.energywise.govt.nz - contains a heater-sizing calculator to help you work out what you need and more information on heating options.

What is the best heating option for you?
The EECA offers the following tips to help consumers choose the most appropriate heat source for their home.
Costs are given in cents per kiloWatt hour - the unit used by power companies. This is not the cost per hour of use, but it allows consumers to compare running costs.
1 Energystar-qualified heat pumps
Qualified heat pumps are the most efficient way to heat a room using electricity, but you need to use timers and thermostats effectively to make them economical.
Cost to run: 4-7 c/kWh
Be aware that: If you leave heat pumps on 24/7, you will have high power bills. They won't work without electricity.
2 Modern wood-burners
Approved wood-burners produce a lot of heat and are good for larger spaces. Wetback models can also be used for heating water. They do not rely on electricity and use renewable fuel.
A list of approved burners is available at the Ministry for the Environment website - www.mfe.govt.nz
Cost to run: 10-12 c/kWh or less if you have access to free/cheap wood
Be aware that: You need building consent to install a wood-burner. Firewood must be dry to burn cleanly.

3 Wood pellet-burners
These look similar and heat in the same way as wood-burners, but they run on pellets made of leftovers from wood-processing. The Ministry for the Environment also has a list of approved pellet-burners on its website.
Cost to run: 13-16 c/kWh
Be aware that: Pellet-burners won't work without electricity, as a small amount is needed for the controls. You need building consent to install one. Most have thermostats and timers, which is good for controlling your heating.

4 Efficient-flued gas heaters
Gas heaters run on natural gas or LPG and are easy and convenient to use.
They produce a lot of heat, but opt for one with a four-star or higher efficiency rating from the Australian Gas Association.
Heat is instant and easily controllable and these are good for heating larger areas for long periods.
Cost to run: 14-15c/kWh for natural gas or 19-21c/kWh for LPG
Be aware that: There may be a fixed charge for connecting flued gas heaters to a reticulated gas supply, but your overall costs will be lower if you already pay this for other appliances. These heaters need to be installed by a registered gas-fitter.
5 Electric heaters
Electric heaters are one of the most expensive heating options - whether you use a radiant bar heater, column convection heater or fan heater.
However, they are good for warming up a small, infrequently used room quickly for short periods.
Cost to run: 25c/kWh
Be aware that: Although many electric heaters have built-in thermostats, these are not always very accurate.
6 Unflued gas heaters
These are good as a back-up during power cuts but, because they release combustion products into the room instead of out through a flue, there can be health risks and damp issues as gases and water vapour build up in the room.
You must keep at least one window open and never use unflued gas heaters in bedrooms.
Cost to run: 39-40c/kWh
Be aware that: This is the most expensive form of heating - except some open fires. Portable LPG heaters can be a fire risk, as items too close to the appliance can quickly catch alight.
Top heating tips:
* Close your curtains at sunset to keep the day's heat in.
* Use a thermostat to set healthy indoor temperatures - at least 18C in rooms you are using or 20C if you have vulnerable people in the home.
* Heat only the areas you're using.
* Use timers to control when you heat.