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Complete the form to get a free appraisal for installing a Brivis system.
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Before you decide, consider some of the important aspects of home heating and decision criteria
It is a big decision to install whole home heating. Below is a list of important the points to consider before deciding on which system to install in your home.
The size and layout of your home
There are a number of aspects of the physical design of your home that will all make a difference to how efficiently your home will be heated:
- The overall size of the house and the number of storey’s
- The number of rooms you will want heated
- If your house has slab or stumps/piers
- If you want to have bedrooms and bathrooms heated, as well as living areas
- If you will want to use zoning in your home to heat only certain areas
- Whether you are installing in a current house or are building new
The level of performance you need from a heater
You will need a product that meets your needs and will work well in your home. Some points to consider are:
- The size of the unit - will it heat my entire home if I want it to?
- The ignition process - is it quiet and efficient?
- The fuel it uses - does the use LPG or Natural Gas?
- Safety - does it have a reliable safety system?
Ease of control
You should never have to struggle to use appliances in your own home. A home heating system should be intuitive and simple. Some points to consider are: - Can I program the unit or will I have to get out of bed to turn it on or off?
- Can I control the temperature and how accurate will the temperature be?
- Can the unit accommodate a cooling system if I decide to add one at a later date?
Ductwork and fittings - location and insulation
The ductwork is responsible for distributing the warm air throughout your home. The ductwork needs to be of high quality of the whole system suffers. Some points to consider are:
- The insulation properties of the ductwork - does it have the right insulation rating (R rating) for your chosen heater?
- The location of the return air grille. This will draw the air from the house back to the heater. To get maximum benefit from the system, it should be located at floor level.
- If you want an air filter on the return grille.
- The location of the air ducts - are they placed in optimum positions in your home?
- The colour of the air ducts - will they match the interior colours of my home?
Running costs of your heater
The running costs of your heater can vary greatly depending on its energy efficiency. A high efficiency heater can save you up to $400 per year in running costs. This means that if you choose a highly efficient heater, it can pay for itself within a few years and can add value to your home. Some points to consider are:
- The differences in running costs between a regular and a high efficiency heater in your home. Contact us to discuss the difference a high efficiency heater would have in your home.
- Investment return - how long are you planning on living in your current home?
Ongoing maintenance and servicing
A regularly maintained central heater should last up to twenty years but you still need to know that you can have it looked at if you need. Some points to consider are:
- Are there qualified technicians for your product in your region? Will they be available if your heater need urgent attention.
- Does the manufacturer have a helpline? Is it available seven days?
- Will there be parts available years from now?
- Does the product have a warranty that will be honored by the manufacturer?
Installation of your heater
You need to know that your new purchase is going to be installed correctly. Much of performance of your heater comes down to the quality of the installation. Some points to consider are and ask people with experience with the installer are:
- Is the installer recommended by the manufacturer?
- How do they treat their customers? Are they honest, reliable?
- Do they have testimonials from local clients?
- Will they give you a clear idea of the installation costs and an outline of where the central unit and ducts are going to be positioned in your home.
- Will they teach you how to use all aspects of the system once it is installed?
The heater manufacturer
All manufacturers will claim that their products are superior in function and reliability! Make sure you read independent reviews and talk to people about their personal experiences with the product before making a purchase. Some points to consider and to ask people with experience with the product:
- Does the manufacturer stand behind their products? What is their customer service like?
- Does the company specialize in heating or do they manufacture other types of products too?
- Do they offer a guarantee and what does it cover; the whole system including ducting or just their heating unit?
- Do the company have ISO Quality accreditation and EMC compliance?
The effect on the environment
A household using all-electric heating will produce five times the quantity of carbon dioxide emissions produced by a household using natural gas for hot water, cooking and heating. Reduce the greenhouse warming effect by using natural gas!
How well designed are NZ homes for keeping warm in winter?
You do need to decide which heating system will best suit you and your lifestyle. It is important for your health and your comfort for you to be living in a warm home. According to The World Health Organisation, the minimum recommended indoor temperature in your home should be 16 degrees Celsius and many New Zealand homes fail to meet this standard.
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) is a New Zealand government body, promoting a sustainable energy future by changing the way we think about and use energy. They work to raise community awareness of energy efficiency issues and provide businesses and individuals with the tools to make changes.
The EECA develops programmes to meet the needs of specific markets, often working in partnership with other organisations. Visit their website (www.eeca.govt.nz and www.energywise.govt.nz ) for useful information about the quality of building in most NZ homes.
The summary from a number of reports is…
Many New Zealand homes are poorly designed
Many simple measures to maximise energy-efficiency, like making the most of the sun, were not considered in housing design and construction practices. This was the case for housing for across all income groups in New Zealand.
Many homes are poorly insulated
Lack of insulation is a major energy and health issue in New Zealand homes built before 1978, before insulation became mandatory.
Research indicated the ceiling insulation in around 375,000 New Zealand homes is inadequate and over one million have inadequate underfloor insulation.
A damp and mouldy home is an unhealthy home
Moisture and mould are common problems in New Zealand homes.
Too much moisture inside a house is unhealthy for those living in it. Particularly for people with respiratory problems.
Moisture is bad for those with which are linked to allergies and asthma as it encourages dust mites.
It also makes it more difficult to heat rooms because the heat is absorbed by moisture before the temperature can rise.
Many have ineffective or inefficient heating
Many New Zealand homes have insufficient heating and the heating they do have is inefficient.
An open fire can actually make your house colder overall. On top of this, a recent study showed they can be bad for your health and the health of those living in the area around your house.
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