Different options for conservatory heating

When you’ve spent a lot of time, money and effort adding a stylish new conservatory or orangery to your home, you deserve to be able to use it all year round. In the past, many conservatories have proved difficult to heat and were therefore often underused during the colder months. However, the latest technological advances in glazing, insulation and heating now mean that you can enjoy your extra space all year round.

With a range of insulating and heating options to consider, you can tailor your conservatory heating to suit your needs. As this is such an important decision, it’s obviously beneficial to think about heating at an early stage of planning so that it can be integrated into the design process, although of course, it’s also possible to retrofit some heating options if you’re thinking about upgrading your existing conservatory.

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The best heater for your conservatory

Central heating

If you’re adding an orangery to a new build, it may seem to be the logical option to incorporate the heating into the central heating system. This is a certainly a viable option, especially if you have a separate thermostatic control that allows you to switch the radiator on and off independently from the rest of the system. However, if you think you might sometimes need a little extra warmth in the conservatory when the central heating isn’t turned on, then you’re going to need a backup form of heating.

Space-saving slimline conservatory heaters

If space is a prime consideration, a slimline conservatory heater takes up the minimum of floor room and is one of the best heaters for a conservatory. These streamlined heaters are designed so that the heat is directed where you need it the most, i.e. straight into your living space where you’ll feel the benefit rather than much of it being wasted by going straight up the wall.

Cost effective electric conservatory heaters

Electric conservatory heaters offer the most budget friendly and widely available options for heating a conservatory. With free standing, wall mounted or portable models to choose from, they are suitable for almost any space: all you need is an electric socket to plug them into. These models are also an economical choice; because they offer instant heat, you only need to run them when you’re actually using the room. Electric conservatory heaters are available in an array of different designs, from sleek contemporary models to more traditional styles so you’re sure to find one that suits your decor.

Cosy underfloor heating

Although it’s not the cheapest, underfloor heating is the most convenient and comfortable option for heating conservatories with tiled floors, especially if you can install it at the construction stage. You can maximise the available wall or floor space as there are no visible heaters.

This type of heating does mean that you can’t have a carpeted floor in your conservatory, as carpet has an insulating effect and blocks the heat from rising. However, tiled floors are a very popular choice for orangeries, conservatories and garden rooms: tile is hardwearing and easy to clean and when underfloor heating is installed, they are also warm and welcoming to walk on with bare feet.

Warm up your conservatory with a wood burner

Perfect for a conservatory with a rustic decor, a wood burner brings the relaxing ambience of a real fire to your conservatory. However, wood burners do need full installation and will also take up quite a lot of space so are only a practical proposition in larger conservatories or garden rooms.

Other points to consider

By their nature, conservatories are structures with a large amount of glass so of all the rooms in your house, they are probably the most susceptible to heat loss. However, the latest advances in glass manufacture offer good insulation and mean that a new conservatory is much more energy efficient than you might expect. If you are looking to upgrade an existing conservatory, a new insulated roof with a stylish lantern will help to retain more heat than an all-glass roof. Whatever type of heating you go for, you will want to conserve as much heat as possible: simple tips such as choosing thick drapes and closing any open roof vents and blinds after dark will also help to make your conservatory or orangery a cosy, welcoming space at any season of the year.