BUYER’S GUIDE: HOME HEATING Dial up the cosy factor with our lowdown on the best heaters, fires and aircon

BUYER’S GUIDE HOME HEATING

From the cosiness of a wood fire to the latest energy-savvy airconditioners, there’s a wealth of smart ways to keep warm this winter

WORDS SARAH PICKETTE

Knowing you have the ability to keep your home snug and toasty is a comforting thought as winter descends. But the prospect of the hefty energy bill that will surely follow soon takes the shine off those warm and fuzzy feels. If this sounds like you, now could be the time to upgrade to a more appealing and energyefficient form of home heating. Here are your options...

With its frameless design and retractable glass door, the sleek Oblica Stuv 21 built-in wood-burning fire , from $8600 (supply only), is a thing of beauty.

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wood fires The oldest form of heating remains the most favoured – it’s thought that more than 900,000 Australian households today choose to use firewood as their main source of heating. The Australian Home Heating Association (AHHA), the industry body representing the wood-fire sector of the heating industry, says it’s a good idea to understand how many kilowatts of heat output you’ll need from your fire – and if you have the room’s dimensions your local heating showroom can advise. A fire that’s too big and burns hot can make a room stuffy and uncomfortable, so the AHHA recommends that heaters should be sized to accommodate the average winter temperature, rather than extremes.

While they look great, open fireplaces can be inefficient, with some losing up to 90 per cent of their heat up the chimney. A better alternative is a slow-combustion wood heater – it can throw out much more heat and allow greater control over fire intensity. For the best of both worlds, take a look at the hybrid styles by Cheminees Philippe, which offer the efficiency of a combustion heater but convert to an open fire when you want that look.

Suspension fires and their dramatic lines are back in fashion and European-designed Oblica models have cornered this market. They might be loved for their sleek good looks, but these fires also integrate some impressive technology. The company’s Gyrofocus fire not only looks like a work of art, it rotates 360 degrees, so heat is dispersed evenly around the room. And remember, all wood fires sold in Australia are subject to stringent health and safety regulations.

gas fires and heaters Gas-burning fires can give you the look of logs burning, but will start at the press of a button. “We work hard to make sure our logs look natural and our flames are high and realistic,” says Wayne Millhouse, managing director of Lopi and DaVinci Fireplaces. Gas fires come in a range of styles; some are traditional and

DS1900 gas fire , $14,999 (not including flue and installation), Escea.

gas & bioethanol Embrace the look of a flamed fire with bright-burning gas or biofuels

Manhattan 50 bioethanol portable fire , $2495, EcoSmart Fire. EcoSm a rt Fire . Freestanding gas fire , $4999 (excluding flue and installation), Escea.

MODE M O DE gas fireplace , g as fire p lace , POA, P OA , Stoke Fireplace Studio. Flex FX50 Fl e x FX 50 bioethanol fire bioethanol fire , , $5995, EcoSmart Fire.

portable heaters Flexibility and fuss-free warmth is at your fingertips when you opt for an affordable portable heater

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reverse-cycle aircon They’re the gold standard in energy-efficient heating — and will work hard for you all year round

Panasonic C2.5kW H3.2kW reverse-cycle split system with air purifier, $949, The Good Guys.

MSZ-EF25VE reverse-cycle airconditioner, $1199, Mitsubishi Electric.

WS09TWS reverse-cycle airconditioner, from $1242, LG.

Samsung 2.5kW reverse-cycle airconditioner, $999, Appliances Online.

ASTG18KMTC reverse-cycle airconditioner, $2699, Fujitsu. a great fit for heritage homes while some of the best sellers today are long, slim and sleek – designed to sit safely under widescreen TVs and artworks. The technology in gas fires keeps improving, too, with Real Flame’s Australian-made Magiglo range of burners incorporating new safety features.

A few years ago, portable gas heaters were heartily embraced by Australians as an efficient and affordable form of heating. They are still a good buy, but because retail gas prices have risen in recent years, you need to take into account that the operational cost of gas heating has gone up.

Gas heaters can be very efficient, with about 90 per cent of the energy contained in gas transformed into heat. All models sold in Australia have to be certified and carry an efficiency label (from one to six stars, with six being the best). Be aware that unflued gas heaters are not permitted in some states.

electric & bioethanol fires Like to enjoy the ambience of a flickering flame without the ash, smoke or even a chimney? An electric flame-effect fire will perform like an ordinary electric convection heater but has the added visual effect of (artificial) flames.

Biothenol fires can also be a great buy for a contemporary home because they’re emission-free and require no flueing or utility connections, so they can be used in all sorts of creative ways – such as built into joinery, kitchen benches or ensuites. The streamlined design of bioethanol fires allows them to create a focal point in a room or highlight an architectural feature.

reverse-cycle airconditioning “Reverse-cycle airconditioning is the most energy-efficient form of heating, compared to conventional gas or portable electric heaters,” says Atesh Mani, national product manager for Mitsubishi Electric. “The amount of energy produced as heating far exceeds the input energy.” Mitsubishi Electric’s MSZ-LN split system has split vanes that allow you to direct heat to certain parts of a room. Meanwhile, LG’s WS split-system series is voiceactivated and compatible with Google Assistant, which allows you to track its energy usage in real time. And Fujitsu General’s Lifestyle range has sensors that detect if a room is unoccupied and adjusts the temperature accordingly.

portable heaters “Our biggest sellers are panel heaters, for their discreet look, and the Dyson Pure Hot+Cool range, which are fan, heater and air purifier in one,” says Gary Brown, senior brand manager of electrical and home appliances for Harvey Norman. Australians are looking for simplicity, safety and effectiveness in their heaters, he adds.

For small bedrooms and study areas, a fan heater or column heater might do the job. A ceramic heater is a smart choice for a medium-sized room while slender panel heaters (from around $400) and convection heaters (from around $50) are better for larger living areas or open-plan rooms. “The higher the wattage on an electric heater, the more heat it will produce,” says Gary, “but that also means you’ll have higher running costs.”

“ When it comes to heating, people tend to buy the style they’re familiar with, even if it’s been superseded”

GARY BROWN, HARVEY NORMAN

wood-burning fires For a warm and fuzzy feeling as well as wonderful heat, wood is hard to beat

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BRIGHT IDEAS FOR YOU AND YOUR HOME

HARVEY NORMAN The Grace bedroom chair is an invitation to treat yourself to the smoothness of plush velvet. Vertical lines add height and dignity, while a high contoured back allows for the utmost support. Visit harveynorman.com.au ZIP The Zip HydroTap Celsius All In One delivers all your drinking-water needs in one beautifully designed system — that means boiling, chilled and sparkling filtered drinking water, as well as hot and cold unfiltered water. Visit zipwater.com

DOMAYNE Combining convenience and sophistication, the Lucia bar cart is here. Its chrome-plated black-metal legs are the perfect complement to the transparent acrylic shelves, where you can rest all your favourite barware. Visit domayne.com.au

BLINDS ONLINE With their soft, romantic profile, S-fold curtains from Blinds Online drape beautifully. Starting from $190, they're a stunning way to start your winter DIY project and update the look of your home. Visit blindsonline.com.au CHOICES Brease is the only broadloom carpet accredited by the Sensitive Choice® program of National Asthma Council Australia. Its fibres won't shed into the air and there's a lot less potential for dust mites. See choicesflooring.com.au BATHE Italian manufacturer FIMA presents SO, a special award-winning range. Now available with handles in dierent finishes, the customisation possibilities are endless. Pictured in brushed gold with light wood handles. Visit bathe.net.au

FREEDOM Beautifully handloomed, the Kershow throw will bring a relaxed coastal vibe to your home. As well as its nautical stripe design, a bouclé yarn and tassels will add warmth and texture to any space. For more information, visit freedom.com.au BUNNINGS You can create your perfect kitchen with a free virtual design consultation at Bunnings, where kitchen design experts are available to assist you with all your renovation-related questions. To book, visit bunnings.com.au WYNSTAN Protect your home with Wynstan Crimsafe® Ultimate Doors. Proudly Australian-made and 40% stronger than regular Crimsafe® doors, there is no better choice for your property. Book your free in-home consultation at wynstan.com.au

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crazy for you Creating a bluestone path though this garden was genius Matthew Cantwell from Secret Gardens designed this lovely green courtyard in Sydney’s Coogee. It’s a small space, so the sense of journey was a clever device to make it appear bigger. Lining the crazy-paved bluestone path is Olea europaea, Dioon spinulosum , Viola odorata and Arthropodium cirratum , plus many other featured plants that stand proud of the Dulux Domino-painted boundary walls. Turn the page for more details.