Now that winter has officially set in, chances are that you’re looking for a new heater for your home, to ensure that you stay warm and cosy in your sanctuary.  However, it’s important to buy the right type of heater; otherwise you may suffer from a condition known as “bill shock” once the winter heating bills start rolling in.  There’s plenty of choices available, so we’ve put together to help you make the right choice.  For more advice on selecting a heater, talk to your local heating professional.

How Much Space Do You Need to Heat?

One of the first questions that you should ask yourself is how much space you actually need to heat.  If you need to heat your whole home or large expanses of the home, you may want to consider ducted heating, underfloor heating, or radiant heating.  To heat living areas, you may want to look at natural gas heaters or a reverse cycle air conditioner.  If you only need to heat a very small space such as a bathroom or a bedroom, electric heaters may be a good choice.  If you’re confused about what size heater or what type of heater to buy, a heating specialist will be able to size up the spaces that you want heated and give you the best advice for your particular situation.

How Often Will You Be Running the Heater?

Are you one of those people that turn the heater on just to take the chill out of the home or one that likes to have the heater running 24/7?  How often you run the heater will influence your choice.  If it will be running for long periods of time, consider more efficient and cost effective heating solutions such as natural gas powered heaters, underfloor heating systems or reverse cycle air conditioners.

Think About Safety

If you have kids, pets, or elderly people in your home, safety is definitely something that you have to think about (although you should be thinking about it anyway!).  Look for heaters that don’t have hot surfaces that can easily burn delicate skin.  If you choose a freestanding heater, make sure it has an auto-off feature if it topples past horizontal to reduce the risk of fire if it gets knocked over.