Bringing stylish warmth to your home …

Winter is raw, dreary, and cold. Last year we had a mixture of self-isolation, the flu virus, and a general malaise, with some bitterly freezing nights and torrential downpours added to the mix. Many people, it seems, took flight, to soak up the warmth of the tropical islands or the northern summer. Of course, the entire nation can’t simply go on a luxurious holiday to keep warm … but there are solutions!

Home heating is one of the most beneficial investments a homeowner can make. There are a variety of reasons for creating and maintaining a warm home for you and your family – a warm and dry home is fundamental to your health, your comfort, and your wellbeing. Research shows that having poor or no home heating can lead to issues with blood pressure, common colds, heart complications, and pneumonia. New Zealand health professionals have recognised the nationwide issue with the health of our housing and, in a report by the New Zealand Asthma Foundation, ‘the bronchiectasis hospitalisation rate in children aged under 15 years has tripled since the year 2000 due to the repeated lack of heating in homes’.

There are many variables to consider when seeking a warmer home, including insulation, ventilation, single or double glazing, and floor and window furnishings. But how should you heat your home, and what form of heating is the most effective?

Heat pumps are one of the main methods used in New Zealand but can bring a number of significant problems. Since they effectively draw heat from outside air, their efficiency goes down as the external temperatures drop – just when you need them most. Many people are put off by the drafty feeling as they pump out warmed air, and the units can be noisy: so, choose wisely.

As alternatives, gas and wood fires are very popular. In winter, the fireplace becomes the hub of the home and is the catalyst for many memories and conversations.

A gas fire operates efficiently, cleanly, and ignites at the flick of a remote. A gas fire supplies a consistent airflow and a controllable level of heat and has been proven to heat a home faster than alternative methods. The Fire Department supplies custom-made, hand-crafted gas fires that will enhance your home and become a piece of art through their modern design.

Alternatively, you could choose a wood fire. The primary benefit of wood fires is the cost saving on power bills at the same time as being environmentallysound. Customers also praise the heat quality and ambience created by a ‘real’ fire. Because wood is renewable and sustainable, this heating method is carbon neutral and does not contribute significantly to climate change. Today’s modern design and technology of wood fires ensure the heat is directed into the home, rather than up the chimney like the old days.

At the Fire Department we make up to 30 diverse models of both gas and wood fireplaces. Each fire is hand crafted with minimal fuss and clean lines, and uses the latest technology and sensors to maximise heat output and efficiency. We are proud to have been heating New Zealand and enhancing homes for 17 years.

For further information please visit www.thefiredept.co.nz

For this four bedroom, three bathroom suburban home in Wigram, Myra and her experienced team designed, project managed, and executed the six month build. “Having built three times before, the clients had a clear vision of the overall aesthetic and layout they wanted. We added our expertise and ideas to create a design with a cohesive flow making efficient use of footprint, materials and finishes,” says Myra.

In the simple white kitchen and scullery, gold lighting and hardware shine against the pared back cabinetry. The long communal bench and extended open plan living and dining room with raised ceiling provide space for guests to comfortably congregate. A guest bathroom, the Jack and Jill style ensuite, and the master ensuite with luxury wet room and rain shower, are all finished with signature brass fittings.

A warm, Mediterranean white brick exterior pairs nicely with a schist feature wall nestled between two windows on the front exterior. The same autumnal stone is used inside on the feature fireplace, which separates the formal lounge from the dining room. Natural timber on the hybrid flooring and slat entry wall complements the neutral colours.

“I am really proud of the way everyone worked together to complete the project just as the client had envisioned. The entire home flows beautifully. It is perfectly set up for family life and entertaining,” says Myra.

NZCB Member ⁄ Myra Mifrano www.rmhomesct.nz