A Practical Home Heating Guide
As temperatures drop and the colder months settle in, keeping your home warm and comfortable becomes a priority. But staying warm doesn’t necessarily mean heating every room in the house all day.
From preventing unnecessary heat loss to choosing a heater that suits the space you actually use, there are practical ways to prepare your home for winter.
In this guide, we’ll look at how to keep your home warmer, the different types of portable heaters available and what to consider when choosing a heater for your space.
How Can You Keep Your Home Warm in Winter?
Keeping your home warm in the winter comes down to two things:
- Retaining the heat already inside your home
- Heating that spaces you use effectively
Simple changes can make a difference before you even think about additional heating.
Check for draughts around windows and doors, close the curtains once it gets dark and keep internal doors closed where appropriate to retain warmth.
It is also worth thinking about how you use your home. If you are spending most of the evening in one room, you may want to focus on keeping that space comfortable rather than heating areas that aren’t being used.
What Type of Heater Is Best for Your Space?
There isn’t one type of heater that’s right for every home. Your choice will depend on factors such as:
- The size of the area
- How you use the space
- The type of heater
- The fuel or power requirements
At Sheds Direct Ireland, You’ll find a range of portable heating solutions, including wick heaters, fan-assisted paraffin heaters and infrared heaters.
Understanding the differences can help you narrow down the right option for your requirements.
Paraffin Heaters
Paraffin heaters use liquid paraffin as their fuel source and are available in different designed, including wick and fan-assisted models.
Our range includes wick models such as the Glow Wick 240 and Glow Wick 290.
We also stock fan-assisted paraffin heaters, including the Inverter 5026 and Kero 4600.
When choosing a paraffin heater, consider the size of the space you want to heat and check the individual product specifications to make sure the model is suitable for your needs.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on fuel, ventilation and safe use.
Infrared HeatersÂ
Infrared heaters are another option to consider when looking for additional heating during the winter months.
Rather than simply choosing a heater based on size, think about the space you want to heat and what you need from it.
For larger rooms and spaces, an infrared heater may be an option worth considering.
Always check the specifications of the individual heater to make sure it is suitable for your space.
How Do You Choose the right Heater?
With different types and sizes of heaters available, knowing which one is right for you and your home can be difficult.
Before choosing a heater, consider:
- The size of the room or space
- Where the heater will be used
- How often you plan to use it
- The heat output
- Fuel or power requirements
- Ventilation requirements
- The manufacturers guidance
Taking the time to consider where and how you will use your heater can make it easier to narrow down your options.
Which Heater Is Best for Each Room?
The best heater for your space will depend largely on the size of the area and how you plan to use it.
A small portable or wick heater can work well when you want additional heat in one room, while larger spaces may require a more powerful fan-assisted or infrared heater.
Here are some of the main things to consider:
- Small rooms: A portable wick heater can provide additional heat without needing to heat a much larger area.
- Living rooms: A portable or fan-assisted heater can help provide additional warmth in the room you use the most.
- Home offices: A smaller portable heater can be useful when you are working in one room for the most of the day.
- Larger rooms: A higher-output or infrared heater may be best suited to heating a larger room.
- Workshops and larger spaces: Look for a heater specifically designed for a larger heating area rather than using a smaller domestic model.
Whatever space you are heating, always check the recommended heating area and manufacturers guidance for the individual heater.
How Can You Stop Heat Escaping From Your Home?
You can keep more heat inside your home by reducing draughts and limiting unnecessary heat loss through windows and doors.
Some simple steps include:
- Closing curtains and blinds when it gets dark
- Keeping internal doors closed
- Checking windows and doors for draughts
- Keeping furniture away from radiators where possible
- Closing doors to rooms that aren’t being used
- Checking that windows and external doors are properly closed
Making these changes before adding more heat can help make your home feel more comfortable during colder weather.
What Should You Check Before Using a Heater This Winter?
Before using a heater that has been stored away, check its condition, fuel and any replacement parts before switching it on.
Look for any visible signs of damage and check components such as the wick if your heater uses one. You should also make sure you have the correct fuel for your model.
Always check the manufacturers instructions before using your heater, particularly around fuel, positioning and ventilation.
If you use your heater regularly throughout winter, it is also worth keeping any replacement wicks, fuel or other accessories you may need to hand.
Get Ready for the Colder Months
Keeping your home warm this winter starts with keeping as much heat inside as possible and making sure the spaces you use most are comfortable.
Simple steps such as reducing draughts, closing curtains and keeping doors closed can all help. If you still need additional heat, choosing the right heater for the size and type of space can make all the difference.
At Sheds Direct Ireland, we stock a range of wick heaters, fan-assisted paraffin heaters and infrared heaters, along with fuel, replacement wicks and other heating accessories to help you prepare for winter.
