The landscaping business is booming!

Thanks to technological advances that aid mobile communications and the ever-increasing costs of commuting, many of us are choosing to work from home. A separate garden office provides the perfect environment to do just that.

The downturn in the economy has also influenced the boom in landscaping. Financial uncertainty has resulted in a reluctance to move houses, with homeowners choosing to stay and improve and/or expand properties. In some cases this has led to the introduction of a garden building, whether used as a garden room, summer house or children’s den.

To get the most use out of a garden building, heating (along with light and electricity) is a must. If the building is not warm and inviting then it will not be used, especially in the colder winter months. This article looks at the factors to consider when it comes to heating your garden building.

Isolation is key

Is there adequate insulation? Some but not all of the purpose-built garden rooms are adequately insulated. If you’ve converted a shed or outbuilding, or opted for a lower cost garden building, then you’ll probably need to add insulation. Without this, the cost of heating could be prohibitively expensive.

Add Heating

For any garden building to be comfortable and usable (for more than just storage), year-round, it will need to be heated.

So what factors should you consider when choosing heating for a garden building?

• heat output – When choosing any form of heating, it is critical that the option you select has the ability to adequately heat the space. If in doubt, oversize the heater, as you can always downsize it.
• thermostatic control – choosing a heating option with a thermostat will ensure that your garden building is optimally heated to a constant and comfortable temperature. Thermostatic controls provide efficient and profitable use of energy; for example, they can turn off a heater when the room has reached its optimum temperature; perfect on a sunny day to take advantage of any “free heat” from the sun. By keeping the temperature above a certain minimum level, it protects the building’s contents, including computers and soft furnishings, from cold- or moisture-related damage.
• timer – by opting for a product with a timer, you can ensure that the heating is on when it is needed. A timer allows you to set the heating to come on just before the day begins, ensuring a toasty office in time for when you arrive.
• Space – By their very nature, many dependencies are small in size. Therefore, space is often a critical factor when choosing your heating option. These days, radiators are available in unusually narrow or low sizes, so there’s bound to be something to fit even the most awkward of wall spaces. There are also floor heaters, which are portable and don’t take up space on the wall.
• Budget – It may seem obvious, but costs vary greatly for heating options for landscaped buildings. For example, the price of an electric heater can range from £20 for a basic fan heater to £2,000 for the latest designer model. Also take into account the installation costs, for example if you opt for electric underfloor heating, be aware that the installation costs can be considerable, especially if the floor needs to be raised to allow the electric aluminum sheet to be installed. place below.
• Esthetic – Whether your new space is for living or working, in addition to wanting a comfortable and functional environment, you may also want to add style with a cool-looking heater; the many designs now available mean you can choose minimalism to help you focus, bright colors to inspire you, or soft curves to give a relaxed feel.

So what are the different heating options available for garden buildings?

ELECTRIC RADIATORS

Electric radiators filled with water and oil

The water inside a water-filled electric radiator is heated by an electric element and used as a heat reservoir. Oil-filled electric radiators are heated electrically; the oil is not burned but is again used as a heat reservoir. Both types of electric radiators work on the same principle and have similar running costs.

advantage

• Wall-mounted and free-standing models available;
• Many floor-mounted versions can be plugged into a socket, so there are no installation costs, and the radiators are usually portable;
• Wide range of contemporary and traditional styles available. From sleek, minimalist designs like the Electric Royce (which is made from lightweight aluminium), to classic column-style cast iron radiators like the Electric Etonian;
• Many are available with timers and thermostats; Y
• Some styles heat up quickly (particularly those made of lightweight aluminum); others cool slowly (such as cast iron).

Cons

• The wall mounted versions do not sit as close to the wall as some of the electric radiant panel radiators currently on the market.

Radiant panel electric radiators

Electrical panel radiators radiate heat (rather than convection) and do not contain any liquid. These radiators have become extremely popular in recent times, due to their efficient, environmental and practical qualities. One of the best electric panel radiators out there is the iRad from Feature Radiators, which is beautifully designed, slim, flat and sits close to the wall.

advantage

• Light;
• He sits near the wall;
• Many sizes, finishes, and colors available;
• Heats up quickly;
• Radiates heat without “blowing”;
• Heats both objects and the surrounding air;
• Available with thermostats and timers; Y
• Precise, focused and highly efficient heating.

Cons

• Almost always wall mounted, so there should be at least some space available on the wall.

wood burners

A wood stove burns wood fuel and biomass fuel derived from wood while generating heat.

advantage

• Charming cozy feeling with attractive real fire flame;
• Carbon neutral, if the fuel comes from sustainable sources;
• Heats both objects and the surrounding air; Y
• Relatively low running costs.

Cons

• Lack of control, which can lead to high temperatures;
• Obtaining and moving fuel can be difficult and complicated;
• It takes time and effort on a daily basis to keep it running;
• The ash created needs to be cleaned;
• Requires a reasonable amount of space, taking up both the wall and the floor; Y
• Significant installation costs.

fan heaters

A fan heater works by passing air over a heating element, this heats the air, which then exits the heater and warms the surrounding room.

advantage

• Heats a room quickly;
• Heats both objects and the surrounding air;
• Relatively small, so it doesn’t take up a lot of floor space; Y
• No installation costs.

Cons

• As soon as it is turned off, the room will cool down quickly;
• The fan generates noise;
• Often unattractive;
• Uses a lot of energy, leading to high running costs; Y
• Heat is expelled rather than convection or radiation, which can create a stuffy, sleepy environment.

infrared heating panels

Infrared heating panels are a relatively new idea in the UK, but have been widely available in Europe for over ten years. Infrared heaters heat by using infrared waves.

advantage

• Focused heating, infrared waves only heat what they hit;
• Provide heat quickly;
• Reasonably efficient to run;
• It can be placed on the ceiling so that they are not in the way; Y
• Thermostats and timers available.

Cons

• It only heats the objects that the infrared waves hit. If you sit in front of an infrared heater, the back of your body and head and any part below the heater will remain cool;
• The surrounding air does not heat up at all; Y
• Potential Fire Hazard: Because this heating is focused and direct, there may be a risk of fire if the heater is placed too close to an object. For example, if an infrared heater were to fall on a wooden floor.

Electric underfloor heating

Electric underfloor heating consists of a thermal sheet containing heating wires that heat the surface of the floor, which in turn heats the air above it. The foil mat must be laid under the laminate or wooden flooring intended for the construction of the garden.

advantage

• No wall space required;
• Nice feeling underfoot;
• When working optimally, the entire room is evenly heated to a background room temperature;
• Many are available with thermostats and timers; Y
• Relatively low running costs.

Cons

• It may not have enough capacity to provide adequate heat for the building, depending on the level of insulation, ceiling height, and amount of glass;
• Relatively high installation costs;
• Insulated floor required;
• It must be installed below the floor, so it may not be a desirable option where the floor is already below;
• Slow to respond, can take up to 3 hours to reach temperature, so advance planning is needed and can take a long time to cool down;
• Limits the choice of floor coverings; Y
• If it fails, the cost and inconvenience of the repair will be significant, as the flooring may need to be removed or replaced.

portable gas heaters

Historically a popular choice for heating rooms or outbuildings, particularly where there was no power source. These heaters are powered by gas bottles that are located at the bottom of the heater.

advantage

• High heat output;
• Autonomous heaters that do not require an external power source;
• No setup fees; Y
• Laptop.

Cons

• Safety – You should not place items on top of or directly in front of gas heaters. This can be a challenge if you’re working in a small space;
• Unpleasant smell of gas;
• Proper ventilation is vital to prevent the buildup of dangerous fumes;
• Risk of carbon monoxide leak; Y
• Large, bulky items that take up valuable space, both when in use and when stored.

conclusion

Whichever type of garden room heating you choose, you need to make sure that it has the capacity to heat the corresponding space. It is important to maximize the energy used to provide heat efficiently while minimizing energy waste through the use of good insulation, timers and thermostats.

Keep in mind that these days having a warm and comfortable outbuilding doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style with ugly, bulky and/or inefficient heating options. A wide range of stylish, safe and efficient electric heating solutions are now available.

For more information on how to find the most suitable heating product for your landscape construction, speak to a heating or radiator expert.