What’s Best for Your Home This Winter?
When winter hits the Central North Island and Bay of Plenty, it hits hard. Cold mornings, chilly evenings, and the kind of damp that just gets into your bones. So if you’re looking at ways to keep your place warm and toasty, you’re not alone. And chances are, you’re weighing up a heat pump against more traditional options like wood burners, gas heaters, or even the trusty old oil column heater.
So what’s actually best for your home this winter? Let’s break it down.
Running Costs: What Will It Cost You Over Time?
This is where heat pumps really shine. Once installed, they’re one of the most energy-efficient heating options around. For every unit of power you put in, you get around three to four units of heat out. That’s a solid return, especially when the power bill rolls in.
Compare that to:
- Gas heaters, which can be expensive to run, especially bottled LPG
- Wood burners, which need regular firewood (and a bit of effort)
- Oil column heaters, which chew through power for what they put out
Winner for cost-effective, ongoing warmth? Heat pumps by a mile.
Convenience: Set and Forget
If you want heating that kicks in with the press of a button, a heat pump is your best mate. You can set the temp, set a timer, and even control it from your phone if you go for a model with Wi-Fi.
Traditional options can be a bit more hands-on:
- Wood burners need stacking, lighting, and refilling, not to mention storage for that load of firewood currently sitting on your lawn!
- Gas heaters can run out of gas at the worst time
- Oil heaters are slow to heat and often don’t warm a whole room evenly
If ease of use is high on your list, the heat pump takes it again.
Warmth and Coverage
Modern heat pumps are great at heating larger areas quickly and evenly. If you’ve got an open-plan living room or a high-ceilinged space, there are models specifically designed to cope.
The traditional options?
- Wood burners can pump out serious heat, but mostly in the room they’re in.
- Gas and oil heaters are better suited to small spaces or as backups.
Want whole-home comfort? You can go for a ducted heat pump system, which is perfect for keeping every room just right.
Safety and Health
Heat pumps don’t burn anything, so there are no open flames, no emissions, and no moisture being pumped into your air. That means they’re safer for kids, pets, and asthma or allergy sufferers.
By comparison:
- Gas heaters can release moisture and emissions (and need good ventilation)
- Wood burners give off smoke and ash
- Oil heaters can be a tipping hazard if left in the wrong spot
For clean, dry air and peace of mind, heat pumps are hard to beat.
The Upfront Cost
Here’s where traditional heaters can look appealing:
- You can grab an oil heater for under $200 or a gas heater for a bit more. But they cost a lot more to run long-term.
- Installing a fireplace can be a bit more of a rigmarole, involving contractors, as well as building consent hoops with your district council. And then you’re looking at a load of firewood each year.
Heat pumps and ducted systems do cost more upfront. But with better energy efficiency, they pay themselves off over time. And if you go with a reliable installer and a quality brand like Mitsubishi, you’re making an investment that lasts for years. The Element Air team will install your indoor and outdoor units for heating your property, including all the electrical work, handling the full project for you. Even better – there’s no council red tape with a heat pump!
What’s Right for You?
If you’re after low running costs, better air quality, and convenience, a heat pump is a great solution. For homes with bigger heating demands or for people who want an easy, modern way to stay warm, it’s well worth it.
That said, every home is different. Some folks love the dry heat and smell of a wood burner. Others want to stick with something simple.
But if you’re ready to ditch the damp, high power bills, or constant firewood runs, a heat pump could be the upgrade your winter needs.
Need a Hand Choosing?
We install heat pumps across the Central North Island and Bay of Plenty and can help you find the best option for your space and budget. Check out our range of high wall heat pumps, ducted heat pumps, floor console heat pumps, ceiling mounted heat pumps, and multiroom heating solutions.
Not sure and need some guidance? Get in touch with Element Air today for friendly advice and a no-obligation quote.
