A consumers’ guide to heating with electricity

Press, 15 July 1987, Page 35

A consumers’ guide to heating with electricity

Although consumers are generally aware of the high return for their money in efficienct electricity supplies they are not always sure how to get the best use from this energy source. The brochure, “Living in Comfort,” produced for the Waitemata Electric Power Board, provides some pointers on how, and where, to heat a home with electricity. For living rooms the advice was as follows: "In new homes, many problem areas can be solved with an underfloor fan supplying heated air through inconspicious

grills,” the brochure said. For those seeking to raise the comfort levels in an existing home it advised the installation of a well-mounted fan heater, plus a wall themostat, as being easy to install and economic. The brochure is a strong advocate for the use of thermostats in heating a home. “Sitting around a fire or heater, although providing direct warmth, does not provide uniform comfort for everyone in the room.”

“For real comfort, uniform temperature is a basic requirement — not

too hot, nor to cold. Electric heaters operating through a thermostat will produce this uniform comfort, and enable the family to fully utilise the living room to relax or work in.” The choice of what heater to use has been made more confusing by the increasing variety of options on the market, it states.

“There are many methods of electric heating but often the type of room dictates the type of heater that will be most suitable.”

“In addition, your own preference and the suitable space available for the heater will also influence the decision.” “Aim for fully programmed comfort in the living rooms with background temperatures for hallways and bedroom areas, then treat special rooms, study rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, on their merit for intermittent heat.”