38 HOME IMPROVEMENTS Hot topic
Rising utility bills are driving many to look for alternative, and cheaper, ways to heat their homes. Words: Sabuhi Gard
Four million people in the UK were forced to cut back on their central heating last year just to get by, according to recent research from the University of Bristol. With energy bills in the UK set to rise
again due to potential hikes from major energy suppliers and the wholesale cost of winter electricity, what are the best ways to heat your retirement home? Stuart Elsy from the Hot Water
Association (HWA) says: “The general cost of retirement living, including managing energy bills, can of course be a worry for those on a reduced or restrictive income. However, there are many options out there
to stop heating and hot water generation from becoming an issue. “Reducing our reliance on one source
of energy is an eff ective way to ensure our access to hot water is never compromised and can actually save money too, especially for homes with solar panels and a hot water cylinder in place.” Tracey Falshaw, spokesperson for the
Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC), believes there are heating benefi ts when choosing a gas fi re: “There’s a huge variety of gas fi re designs to choose from, so it’s easy to fi nd a style that suits; whether you want a traditional cast-iron
fi nish, wood-burning stove-style, or the contemporary look of a wide, freestanding option, it’s possible fi nd a product that fi ts the individuals’ tastes perfectly. “There are models which now off er touch
and slide control technology, which enable intuitive control for the user. Some gas fi res even boast remote and thermostatic controls, so you can obtain the perfect temperature relatively eff ortlessly.” Other than choosing a gas fi re, there are
other stylish and aff ordable ways to keep warm, according to Alessandra Wareing, head of trend development at Tile Giant: “Underfl oor heating is an effi cient way of adding a discreet, secondary heat source to your retirement home. In recent years, underfl oor heating has surged in popularity and people are now opting to heat their entire property this way. It’s cheap to run and requires minimal maintenance.” There are also portable heaters and
radiators to heat individual rooms. Chris Stammers, head of insight for
Dimplex, a global heating and ventilation company, says there’s good news for those using direct-acting devices as a main source of heat, such as electric panels: “From January 2018, all manufacturers will be required by law to supply EcoDesign-compliant local space heaters. “This is a continuation of the legislation
that led to us all switching to energy- effi cient lightbulbs. For electric heaters, this means their operation is regulated using intelligent timers and controls. “By buying the latest products, which
must be marked ‘EcoDesign-compliant’, homeowners can be confi dent they’ve got a quality product that uses smart technologies to keep running costs to a minimum.”
SENIOR LIFESTYLE 15 OCTOBER 2017
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