Heating a building with a garden, an outdoor office, a summer house or a fancy shed

The garden construction business is flourishing!

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

The downturn in the economy has also played a role in the garden construction boom. Financial uncertainty has resulted in a reluctance to move, and the owners choose to stay and improve and / or extend the 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 study.

To get the most out of a garden building, heating (along with light and energy) is a must. If the building is not warm and inviting, 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, specially designed garden rooms are adequately insulated. If you have converted a shed or outbuilding, or have opted for a lower-cost garden building, then you will probably need to add insulation. Without this, the cost of heating could be prohibitive.

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 essential that the option you select has the ability to adequately heat the space. When in doubt, oversize the heater as you can always turn it off.
• Thermostatic control – Choosing a thermostat heating option will ensure that your garden building is optimally heated to a consistent and comfortable temperature. Thermostatic controls provide efficient and cost-effective 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, you protect the contents of the building, including computers and soft furniture, from damage related to cold or humidity.
• Timer – By opting for a product with a timer, you can ensure that the heating is on when needed. A timer allows you to set the heating to come on just before the start of the day, ensuring a warm 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 is likely something that will fit even the most uncomfortable wall spaces. There are also floor heaters, which are portable and don’t take up wall space.
• Budget – It may seem obvious, but costs vary wildly in garden building heating options. For example, the price of an electric heater can range from £ 20 for a basic fan heater to £ 2000 for the ultimate designer model. Also consider the installation costs, for example if you opt for electric underfloor heating, please note that the installation costs can be considerable, especially if the floor needs to be raised in order to be able to place the electric foil mat underneath .
• 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 an attractive-looking heater; The many designs now available mean you can choose minimalism to help focus, bright colors for inspiration, 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 is used as a heat reservoir. Oil-filled electric radiators are electrically heated; the oil does not burn but is used again as a heat reservoir. Both types of electric radiators work on the same principle and have similar operating costs.

Pros

• Models available for wall and floor mounting;
• Many floor-mounted versions can be plugged into an outlet, so there are no installation costs and the radiators are usually portable;
• Wide range of traditional and contemporary styles available. From sleek, minimalist designs like the Electric Royce (which is made from lightweight aluminum), to classic column-style cast iron radiators like the Electric Etonian;
• Many are available with timers and thermostats; and
• Some styles heat up quickly (especially lightweight aluminum ones); others cool slowly (such as cast iron).

Cons

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

Radiant panel electric radiators

Electric panel radiators radiate heat (rather than convince you) 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 electrical panel radiators is Feature Radiators’ iRad, which is beautifully designed, slim, flat, and sits close to the wall.

Pros

• Light;
• He sits close to 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; and
• Precise, focused and highly efficient heating.

Cons

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

Wood burners

A wood stove burns wood and wood-derived biomass while generating heat.

Pros

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

Cons

• Lack of controllability, 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 must be cleaned;
• It requires a reasonable amount of space, taking up space both on the wall and on the floor; and
• 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, heating the surrounding room.

Pros

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

Cons

• As soon as it turns off, the room will quickly cool down;
• The fan creates noise;
• Often unattractive;
• It uses a lot of energy, which generates high operating costs; and
• Heat is turned off rather than coaxed or radiated, which can create a suffocating and 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.

Pros

• Focused heating, infrared waves only heat what they hit;
• Provide heat quickly;
• Reasonably efficient to execute;
• It can be placed on the ceiling to keep them out of the way; and
• Thermostats and timers available.

Cons

• Only heat objects that hit infrared waves. If you sit in front of an infrared heater, the back of your body and head and anywhere under the heater will remain cool;
• The surrounding air is not heated at all; and
• Potential Fire Hazard – Since this heating is focused and direct, there may be a fire hazard if the heater is placed too close to an object. For example, if an infrared heater falls on a wooden floor.

Electric underfloor heating

Electric underfloor heating consists of a foil heating mat containing heating cables, which heat the surface of the floor, which in turn heats the air above it. The aluminum mat should be placed under the laminate or wood flooring intended for the garden building.

Pros

• No wall space is required;
• Nice feeling underfoot;
• When working at an optimal level, the entire room heats up evenly with a background room temperature;
• Many are available with thermostats and timers; and
• Relatively low running costs.

Cons

• It may not have enough capacity to provide adequate heat for the building, depending on the level of insulation, the height of the ceiling, and the amount of glass;
• Relatively high installation costs;
• Requires insulated floor;
• It must be installed under the floor, so it may not be a desirable option where the floor is already down;
• Slow to respond, it can take up to 3 hours to reach temperature, so advance planning is necessary and it can take a long time to cool down;
• Limit the choice of floor coverings; and
• 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 option for heating rooms or outbuildings, especially where there was no power source. These heaters are powered by gas bottles at the bottom of the heater.

Pros

• High heat performance;
• Self-contained heaters, which do not require an external power supply;
• No installation costs; and
• Laptop.

Cons

• Safety: Do not place items on top of or directly in front of gas heaters. This can be challenging if you work in a small space;
• Unpleasant gas smell;
• Adequate ventilation is vital to avoid the accumulation of dangerous fumes;
• Risk of carbon monoxide leakage; and
• Large, bulky items take up valuable space, both when in use and when in storage.

conclusion

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

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

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