In order to get the most out of your conservatory, it needs to be comfortable all year round. This means thinking about how you’re going to heat and cool the space both in summer and winter months.
As @BestHeatingUK says, “Conservatories have unique heating requirements. Thanks to their glass structure and a large number of exterior walls and high ceilings, heat can quickly escape and disappear.” Putting adequate heating and ventilation in place will, therefore, help you to get more from your conservatory.
Underfloor heating
Underfloor heating can be a great choice for a conservatory. This type of heating is actually very efficient and could help you to warm the space while keeping your energy bills to a minimum.
If possible, you should install your underfloor heating when the conservatory is first built. This will minimise disruption and allow you to lay the heating quickly and easily.
If your conservatory has already been built, you can retrofit underfloor heating without much difficulty. Generally, this involves replacing the flooring in the space, so make sure you have the budget to do all the work at once.
Radiators
As a lot of conservatories aren’t connected to mains gas, electric radiators are often your best option. When it comes to electric radiators, you should always get the best products you can afford.
High-quality electric radiators are more efficient than cheaper models. This means they’ll heat your space more effectively and keep your energy bills low. High-quality electric radiators also tend to look better than cheaper alternatives.
If your conservatory is connected to the gas mains, you could install normal gas radiators and run them from your central heating system. This is probably the most affordable way to heat your conservatory. If you don’t plan on using the space for a few weeks, turn your thermostat down to save energy.
Fans
In the summer months, it will be cooling, rather than heating, that you’ll need to think about. The glazed walls and roof of a conservatory cause the space to heat up quickly. While this is great during the cooler months, it can get a little toasty in the height of summer.
If you don’t want to have a full air conditioning system in your conservatory, the best way to cool the space is with a fan. Ceiling fans can be installed in most conservatories quickly and easily. These are very energy efficient to run and look great hanging from the centre of the space.
Alternatively, you can invest in a free-standing fan. Placing the fan next to an open window or door will help cool air to circulate through the conservatory and keep the room comfortable.
Find out more about getting the most from your conservatory, and learn about the beautiful conservatories we have to offer, by exploring our site or getting in touch with a member of our team.