Category Archive: Central Heating

Typically, heating accounts for roughly 30 percent of a New Zealand household’s annual energy use (that’s a huge chunk of your electrical bill!) And as energy costs rise and homes grow in size, the expense will only increase as well. 

Many Kiwi’s are taking drastic measures to cut down on their energy bill, and one of those is looking into more efficient heating options. Central heating is a highly desirable heating method for its ability to create a healthier and more comfortable home. 

However with ongoing running costs being a greater priority than comfort, is central heating still worth it?

The average running costs of central heating

A lot of variables come into play when estimating the overall cost of a central heating system. But basically, the operating cost of a system is determined by its efficiency. Factors such as your home’s insulation, boiler and fuel type all impact the cost of running central heating.

Central heating is widely considered to be energy efficient. It has the potential to save money and power. However, it comes at a high upfront cost which may turn away some people.

Central heating uses piped hot water to heat the various rooms in your home. To heat this water typically natural gas or electrical elements are used.

Natural gas heating is one of the cheapest and simplest methods for running central heating. Gas systems tend to be cheaper to install and cost far less than electricity.

In order for electricity to be comparable to natural gas a more complex system is required. A heat pump is used to heat the water in your central heating system. Paired with PV solar panels the cost of the heat pump can easily be offset and in some cases the cheapest option for its running costs.

A solar heat pump system running non stop in the winter may only cost as much as $100 a month. More energy is used to bring your home to temperature than to keep it there. Allowing your central heating to stay on greatly increases its efficiency.

How to make running central heating cheaper

Insulation

To maximise your home’s energy efficiency, you must ensure that it is adequately insulated. Insulating your home lowers the amount of energy required to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. 

To do this, you need to inspect and add insulation to vulnerable parts of your home, such as your loft. This is because as hot air rises, the top portions of your home, such as the loft, are susceptible to heat loss. 

Central heating is designed to keep your home at a stable temperature. So, if your home is quickly losing heat, your central heating system will struggle to keep up. If your system is constantly running hot to try to heat your home it will drive up your energy bill. Therefore ensuring your home is well insulated with double glazed windows is a requirement to have your central heating be affordable.

Be Patient

Central heating uses radiant heat instead of the traditional convection heating methods. By design it is slow to heat and cool down. Cranking up the heat on your central heating to heat up faster will cause a far higher energy bill. Instead, allowing your central heating to come up to temperature slowly is the best method. 

Once at temperature your central heating systems efficiently will skyrocket, making the system far cheaper to run, and may be worth leaving running all winter. 

This is because central heating heats all objects in your house, not just the air. Creating a huge thermal mass which easily retains its heat. The disadvantage is that this can take upwards of 48 hours to come to temperature.

If you are interested in installing central heating give us a call at 0800 443 284 or contact us online for a quote.

When it comes to home heating New Zealand is behind as many people still rely on ineffective and inefficient methods. Most kiwi’s still spend the winters cold or wasting money on expensive heating solutions. Here at Central Heating we have several options to help you control your home’s climate effectively. This blog we will focus on the benefits of radiators as a home heating method.

Convection vs Radiant Heating

When it comes to heating a home the two most common methods are convection and radiant heating. Convection is very popular due to the cost. Convection heating works well however it does come with several disadvantages that may impact some people more than others. Firstly, convection heating uses hot air blown through the house to heat the home. Circulating air moves dust through the house, aggravating allergies and asthma. If you are prone to these, convection heating, such as a heat pump may not be suitable. Secondly, convection does not heat evenly and gives up a lot of heat to unused rooms or through walls to the outside.

A better alternative is radiant heating. Radiators are a great way to keep your home warm during the winter months. Unlike convection heating methods, radiant heating is very cost effective, and is ideal for families with dust allergies or asthma.

Central heating system

Radiators are a silent panel on the wall that transfers heat to the surrounding air. This heat comes from a single central heating unit, which heats a liquid. This liquid then flows into the panels where it can transfer its heat to the room evenly. Although this method is slower at heating than convection, it is cheaper to keep the room warm once it is heated.

If you are interested in the various methods for home heating such as radiant heating, give us a call at 0800 443 284 or contact us online so we can discuss the best option for your home.

Central heating systems come with a wide variety of benefits for homeowners in New Zealand. When installed properly and well-maintained, they help reduce utility bills throughout the year. In some cases, you may save up to 30 percent on your annual energy bill. Investing in the latest A-rated condensing boilers is a prudent choice since these units come with heating controls, thus making them energy efficient.

These heating installations also help prevent the development of health conditions like bronchitis, hypothermia, and asthma. Unlike storage heaters, central heating counteracts condensation and the growth of mold. Additionally, heating units powered by gas are environmentally friendly as they help minimise carbon dioxide emissions.

 Central Heating service

As winters become colder in Auckland, you can keep your entire family feeling warmer by relying on Central Heating for quality service and maintenance. The company can handle different types of central heaters, including gas, oil, and solar-powered units. It can also design and build reliable systems as part of the custom installation service.

Relying on a professional service provider for your heating maintenance and repair gives you peace of mind. Furthermore, you can keep the system safe and running efficiently for longer. In turn, you save a significant amount of money in energy savings. The Central Heating service ensures that you find the best solution to suit your family’s needs during the winter season

The company provides access to experienced technicians capable of designing and building a system that locks in efficiency and substantial energy savings for many years. On another level, you are sure to benefit from improved health since central heating units are better than convection systems. With the former, it becomes easier to beat conditions like asthma and allergies.

In the end, you benefit from value for money presented by the maintenance and repair service. Your entire family will enjoy the tremendous effect of the heating system throughout the winter. The system improves health and safety while boosting your wallet.

By enlisting the services of Central Heating in Auckland, you entrust your installation, maintenance, or heating repair project on a team of expert technicians. The company has an impressive track record of delivering quality workmanship. It comes as no surprise that Central Heating in Auckland stands by its work and trusted by many customers.

 Regular maintenance

Regular central heating service prevents breakdowns, which can compromise your family’s comfort. For this reason, expert technicians recommend scheduling heating service shortly before the winter season begins. In doing so, you ensure peace of mind knowing that your system will run smoothly, efficiently, and safely. Many homeowners in Auckland book the heating service at the start of autumn to avoid unwanted breakdowns. A tune-up makes it easier to identify any components that require replacement. Some worn parts can compromise energy efficiency or safe operation of the system. Hence, the need to book the central heating service before winter

The lack of preseason inspection and repairs can present considerable risks. Gas or carbon monoxide leaks can trigger safety hazards. On the other hand, neglecting to follow maintenance schedules leads to energy inefficiency, which inflates the cost of running the system.

Central heating in New Zealand is important, especially during winter months. Avoid the inconvenience, exorbitant costs, and nasty breakdowns of waiting until winter to get your central heating installation or servicing done.

Timely maintenance, repair, or installation will also help lower your energy bill each year as you increase efficiency. Plus, regular servicing decreases the risk of breakdowns and extends the life of your central heating unit. Imagine how much money you save and how stress-free your life will be when you choose to be prepared with regards to your central heating maintenance.

Why Choose Braemar Central Heating?

When you install a Braemar 7-star equivalent ducted gas heater instead of a 3-star ducted gas heater, you will save approximately $754 per year in running costs! Over a 5- year period you could save up to $3,770 on your heating costs with 7-star equivalent ducted gas heating. Imagine how much you will save over the years!

Every single Braemar ducted heating unit is made from premium grade materials and supported by a comprehensive factory-backed warranty. Our industry standard 7-year comprehensive warranty for residential ducted gas heating also comes with a 10-year heat exchanger and burner warranty.

With energy prices rising, ducted gas heating has the edge on reverse cycle when it comes to both efficiency and performance, and even more so with the world’s first 7-star equivalent ducted gas heating range from Braemar.

Here are the benefits you enjoy when you install a Braemar ducted heating unit:

1. Cost Effective Save up to $525 per year when compared to reverse cycle.
2. Better Performance Reverse cycle works less efficiently when outside temperature drops. Ducted gas efficiency remains steady.
3. Instant Warmth Ducted gas reaches desired temperature much faster than reverse cycle.
4. Comfortable Air Ducted gas heating won’t dry your skin and eyes. It’s a different kind of cozy warmth.

Braemar Central Heating Servicing is able to install, service, repair, and replace all units available online.

Braemar’s Advanced Features

Now available – MagIQtouch® controller offers touch screen technology. Smart, sophisticated and incredibly intuitive, your MagIQtouch® controller makes operating your Braemar so simple.

Discreet and modern design will blend seamlessly into the décor of your home. Choose between standard, Wi-Fi enabled, or wireless Radio Frequency MagIQtouch® controller options.

Now you can control your heating comfort needs directly from your mobile device! For example, you can turn on your heater wherever you are even if you’re outside your home, ensuring you come home to a warm home on those cold winter days. You can download the smart app for free on your smartphone.

Zone your home with three zoning options:

1. Complete Control Enjoy complete control over individual comfort needs
2. Flexibility Heat only parts of the house in use.
3. Savings Heat only the parts of the house where you are in and save.

Now you can set one temperature for all zones. You are also able to turn zones on and off based on minimum outlet requirement.

Central Control Zoning

Take control from 1 x MagIQtouch® controller in common zone where you can set different temperatures for each zone. You can also install additional discreet MagIQtouch® Air Sensors located in each zone with the ability to turn zones on and off, based on minimum outlet requirement. You have an option for up to 10 different zones.

Complete Comfort Zoning

Controlled from up to 10 x MagIQtouch® controllers (1 x per zone). Set different temperatures for each zone from a dedicated MagIQtouch® controller in each zone based on minimum outlet requirement. The MagIQtouch® zone controllers include built-in temperature sensors with the ability to switch on/off whole system from a central MagIQtouch® controller. You can set independent programs for zones from each MagIQtouch® zone controller with an option for up to 10 different zones.

Braemar Ducted Gas Central Heating Features and Benefits

• Maximum efficiency with the InShot BurnerTM that provides thorough air/gas mixing

for clean, efficient combustion.

• No pilot light ensures the heater works every time. Electronic ignition guarantees reliable ignition while no standing pilot saves wasted gas when heater is not being used.

• Flexible installation for all types of homes so the unit can be safely installed in the roof, under the floor, or outside the house. The two-piece configuration means easy installation.

• Maximum energy efficiency withEcostar® Tri-ActionTM heat exchanger. This is a standard on TQM6 and TQS7 series ducted gas heaters. It guarantees the unit is corrosion resistant with maximum heat transfer in minimum space.

• Each unit comes with a whisper quiet operation with variable speed combustion fan that safely expels all combustion gases outside.

Braemar’s Comprehensive Warranty

Each Braemar ducted gas heating unit is manufactured using high-grade materials and comes with a comprehensive, factory-backed warranty. Our industry standard 7-year comprehensive warranty for residential ducted gas heating also comes with a 10-year heat exchanger and burner warranty. Our warranty guarantees your protection and peace of mind.

While Auckland enjoys a largely warm coastal climate, it gets an average low of 7^oC in winter and a fair share of rainfall during summer.

With the changeable weather and the big drops in temperature overnight, central heating proves to be a wonderful solution for keeping your home consistently warm while drying away any moisture that gets inside.

Central heating ensures even distribution of heat around your home, via a central heat source. It’s not a new concept but the technology has become so advanced that it’s too good not to consider. Some of the benefits include:

• Economical to run: operational cost is around 10c per kwh
• No forced air movements: no draughts, no cold spots, no noisy fans
• Better indoor air quality: does not circulate dust and allergens around your home.
• Easy and flexible temperature control via the thermostat and timer.
• Zoning capability for ultimate control and comfort.

How central heating works

Central heating systems consist of a primary heating appliance (typically a central heating boiler), which has four main components: a burner, a heat exchanger, a blower and a flue for releasing gaseous by-products.

To make things simple, think of a central heating system as a continuous circuit that moves hot water from the boiler through all the radiators, and then back again for reheating. The water is permanently stored inside the system, so it’s the same water that circulates around your home (unless it is drained for maintenance). No water is actually consumed

In practice, here’s how a typical gas-fired boiler or ‘wet system’ works:

1. The boiler burns natural gas to create hot jets. This heats up the heat exchanger, which is basically a water-containing copper pipe that bends back and forth inside the gas jet chamber to pick up the maximum amount of heat (approximately up to 60^oC). In the process, the heat energy is transferred from the gas to the water.
2. The heated water is pushed through the pipes by an electric pump. Older models use gravity and convection to move water around the circuit (hot water naturally rises as it has lower density than cold water).
3. From the pipes, the water flows in a closed loop inside each radiator (located in different parts of the house), entering at one side and leaving at the other. The radiators give off radiant heat gently, which leaves the water cooler. By the time the water has passed through
   all the radiators, it has cooled down significantly and
   must return to the boiler for reheating.

The entire operation is controlled by a thermostat and a time controller, allowing precise control over the temperature in different parts of the home. Some systems allow dedicated thermostats in each room. The thermostat switches off the boiler when the room is hot enough and turns it back on when the room temperature dips. Thermostats may be manually adjustable or electronically programmable.

Central heating systems don’t have a problem supplying heat in multi-story homes since the pump is powerful enough to push the heated water through radiators that run upstairs.

Types of central heating systems

Gas-fired boilers are common in Auckland. It is simply economical in terms of installation and running costs, since many homes are already supplied with natural gas. Houses with no connection to the gas network normally use liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or heating oil, which is a little more expensive to run but works in the same way.

Electric boilers are more common in rural and remote areas where gas or oil is not readily available. But some households in urban areas also choose this type of system because of the numerous advantages. Electric boilers are capable of meeting the demands of much larger homes. They are much simpler in design so they’re light and compact. They are touted to be 100% efficient and run silently. It’s also more environment friendly due to its lower carbon emission. The main drawback of electric systems is the installation cost, as it will require new pipes and boiler.

Combination boiler (hybrid) systems are also gaining more attention today due to their practicality. This type of system heats water on demand, both for space heating and for domestic use. They require less space since they don’t need a feed tank or hot water cylinder.

Geothermal heat pumps are another great option because they are environment-friendly and produce the lowest running costs. They are, however, only suitable for new builds because retrofitting the pipes is extremely difficult and expensive.

Underfloor heating systems have pipes strategically laid under the floor, in lieu of radiators. The heated water in the pipes warms the floor, which in turn warms the room. It is considered efficient and highly controllable. However, it can only be installed in new homes because the pipes need to be laid in the concrete slab.

Apart from the fuel or power source, there are a few other things to consider such as the size of your home and your budget.

The best way to decide which system suits your home is to talk to an experienced and qualified plumber. Talk to us today!

More people are choosing a hydronic central heating system for a number of reasons. The benefits simply stack up: silent operation, flexibility, comfortable heating, low maintenance and cost effectiveness.

But perhaps the most compelling reason for choosing this space heating method is the fact that it makes your home healthier by improving indoor air quality. This is an important benefit for New Zealand homes, since respiratory illnesses such as asthma affect 1 in 6 Kiwis. In fact, respiratory diseases are costing Kiwis over $66 billion a year and are the third leading cause of death in NZ.

What is hydronic heating?

As the name suggests, hydronic heating uses hot water to distribute heat throughout the home. The heat is generated in a gas boiler and then distributed through a pipe system. Using natural convection and radiation, the circulating water warms up the household by evenly distributing a comfortable and gentle heat. Instead of warming the air in your home (like fan-forced systems do), hydronic heaters warm objects to release radiant heat.

Once the system is set up, you can forget it and it will do its job without supervision. You can adjust the temperature and create zones to ensure comfortable, on-demand heating only for the rooms you use. This, and the fact that hydronic heaters are around 30% cheaper to run than ducted systems, makes the technology an economical heating alternative.

Since it uses less energy to generate the same amount of heat, it is generally the preferred central heating system by those in cooler climates.

So why is hydronic heating healthy?

• It does not dry out the air

Many fan-forced ducted systems tend to suck moisture from the air or cause unpleasant draughts. Dry air may exacerbate some of the symptoms for asthma sufferers. With hydronic central heating, there are no hot spots or humidity produced, so the air doesn’t dry out.

• It prevents mould growth

Unflued gas heaters and fan-forced ducted heaters produce water vapour, which create damp areas that may harbour moulds. Moulds are a well-known trigger for allergies and asthma attacks. But because hydronic heaters reduce moisture and humidity in the air, mould growth will become less likely.

• It keeps allergens at bay

Since hydronic heating systems don’t use fans, vents or ducts, they don’t allow dust mites, pollens and other air-borne allergens to enter your home. Most of the components are hidden beneath the floors or behind walls, so they also don’t harbour dust particles.

• It’s healthy for the environment, too!

Hydronic heating utilises water and natural gas, and uses 70 percent less energy than other modes of central heating. You also have the option to use solar power to heat the water, which improves energy efficiency. Additionally, the system allows you to create zones so you can heat specific rooms on demand rather than heating the entire home at once. All these help you keep your emissions low.

It can even be healthy for your wallet. Since there are few moving parts and the system is sealed, very little could go wrong and your hydronic heater will stay maintenance free for many years. If you use quality components and ensure proper installation, the system is pretty much set-and-forget.

For more information about hydronic central heating systems, talk to us on 0800 4 HEATING or 0800 443 284.

Are you a central heating guru? Do you have a passion for heating people’s homes and take pride in your work and installations? We are looking to add a new member to our team and you could be it!

With a combined knowledge of over 80 years including EU and UK qualifications, we have a team that will support you every step of the way. We are after an individual who has a passion for central heating.

You job description is as follows:

• Once a week you will spend time in the office arranging your bookings and maintaining a database.
• Four days a week, you will be in a van servicing, repairing and/or installing new central heating systems in the greater Auckland area.

Foundation knowledge is a must. You need to understand the principals of direct and indirect heating systems. Basic pipe sizing and temperature control. Appliance knowledge is not a must (training will be provided) but beneficial. We have in-house certified plumbers and gasfitters that will help you with any compliance matters.

If you think you have what it takes, an above average package is waiting to be claimed! Send your details through to cv@central-heating.co.nz.

Autumn is already giving way to winter as a wild dose of snowfalls and downpours started rocking the southern parts of New Zealand. It’s going to get brutally cold pretty soon with the early arrival of winter.

While we are having some briefly heavy rain showers here in Auckland, we’re still expecting weeks of cool, breezy weather ahead. It’s the best time to have your central heating system checked before you’ll rely on it most when the temperatures drop.

Ensure efficiency

Preparing your radiant heating system in advance not only ensures your comfort but also your home’s energy efficiency. You can save between 10 to 20% on your home heating bill just by ensuring the maximum efficiency of your system. Checking your heating system early in the warmer months also helps you know if there are issues that might require repairs.

Here at Euro Plumbing we see an increase in demand for heating repairs during wintry weather each year. Most people don’t prepare their homes adequately for the winter and find themselves beating the peak heating service rush. It makes sense to have maintenance checks and services completed as early as possible.

Safety first

Anything that heats up can be a potential hazard. You’re dealing with hot water, high-pressure steam or gas, which can make troubleshooting dangerous. Ditch the DIY mentality and call a professional in to service your radiant heating system. Also, you don’t want to cause any damage to your flooring or heating equipment by attempting to do anything on your own.

The best you can do is to run your radiant heater on minimum setting in autumn, so you don’t shock the system when you put it on full blast during the winter season.

Annual servicing

This is something most homeowners think they can do without, but that’s not actually the case. Central Heating NZ will test your central heating system for efficiency and safety. This ensures your radiant panels are thoroughly clean and all components and controls work properly. Regular central heating servicing and maintenance also prolongs the life of your central heating system and keeps your warranty valid.

If you’re worried about the servicing cost, you can schedule annual maintenance in the months leading to winter so you’re not paying additional money for winter proofing your heating system.

Retrofitted central heating system

Radiant central heating is a safe and reliable heating option. If you don’t already have a system in your home, now is the perfect time to install one. Our systems can be fully retrofitted onto any typical Auckland home powered with gas, solar or heat pumps.

Because radiant panel heaters have the quickest response time and can be individually controlled for each room, having them in your home can result in cost and energy savings. From your heat source, we will discreetly install interconnecting piping that will link a series of panel heaters, providing your home a total heating solution.

Don’t wait until winter’s already in full blast. Get your home’s central heating system serviced today. Call us for inquiries!

No one is thinking about heating at moment but forecasts indicate that we are going to get hit with record cold winters in New Zealand during 2017-2020!

Knowing it going to be cold, what will you do to stay warm in 2018? Run to the Warehouse last minute to grad a $99 heater off the pallet or stock up on thermals?

If you own your property why not consider Gas fired Hydronic central heating? Sounds like a mouth full but it’s pretty to comprehend.

Almost any house in NZ can be retrofitted professionally with radiant heating

The system is made up of 3 critical parts:

• Central heating boiler. A very small compact unit that looks like a conventional instant water heater. You can have a look and compare central heating boilers and prices here. These boiler may have condensing technology which makes them 100% efficient.
• Compare radiators to see size VS KW output.  Our engineers will design the system to accommodate ideal capacity and conditions ensuing you have a warm home throughout winter.
• Control system. It’s all about control and comfort! Central Heating Services have teamed up with superior control system manufacturers such as Siemens to deliver the best control possible. We can integrate wired and wireless control systems to keep building and installation costs down.

How much does central heating cost in New Zealand?

Let’s do some indicative pricing.

The above pricing will vary depending on access under house or ceiling (depending on where pipe runs will be) distance and boiler location but in general this is pretty accurate pricing structure which will include:

1. Central Heating boiler
2. Radiators and required pipework
3. Plumbing and Gasfitting related works
4. Electrical components involving the control system and boiler.
5. Commissioning, warranties and certification.
6. Labour, involved materials and GST

In addition to the nice even heat throughout your home, you will have a nice dry and healthy home. Running costs are extremely low to any alternative with a much longer lifespan.

Why not talk to us about your options? Stay warm and healthy this winter!

If you are looking to install or upgrade your central heating, no doubt you want the most bang for your buck. This means that you will need to consider what is the best option for your installation and your needs. There are various systems types to choose from and knowing the benefits of each can mean the difference between a system that costs your more money to run and one that saves you money.

Types Of Systems

Central heating systems can come in a number of types, but all broadly fall into one of the following categories:

• Wet systems – involving a boiler or heat exchanger and radiators
• Warm air systems
• Storage heaters

Wet Systems
Wet systems work by circulating hot water through a system of pipes that connect the radiators throughout the house. A boiler, the center of the system, burns a fuel such as LPG to heat the water. Sometimes there is a heat exchanger and this heats the water instead of the boiler. It is also possible that a hot water cylinder is connected to this system. This type of system is the most popular type of heating system in the UK.

The boilers can use a selection of fuels to heat the water, The most common are natural gas and LPG, with some using heating oil. Rare instances use coal but these days these systems are uncommon. Electric central heating boilers are also another popular option.

The radiators, despite their name, don’t actually give off radiant heat, but rather deliver most of their heat through convection. Air warmed by the radiator usually rises and cooler air falls relative to it, resulting in warm air circulating within the room or space being heated.

Warm Air Systems
Warm air systems heat air by a boiler, usually fueled by gas such as LPG or natural gas, and are fed by means of ducts doing to rooms around the home. The warm air enters the room through a wall or floor vent. These systems are particularly popular in North America and are also commonly used in many commercial buildings, however mostly serve as cooling systems (air conditioning). For residential buildings and homes, wet systems have generally replaced these types of systems.

Storage Heater Systems

Storage heaters work by heating water overnight during off-peak electricity hours, then release the heat gradually during the following day. The storage heater will normally have at least two controls, one for controlling how much electricity is used which will determine how much heat is generated for storage, and another for controlling how much heat is released. This means that you can set it to release the heat when you need it, so if you are out during the day, you are not wasting heat when you are not there. More advanced systems also have thermostatic controls. In some cases, storage heaters can also serve as direct electric heaters, providing heat directly from electricity without going through the storage stage.

So now that you know about the different types of systems, what are the costs?

Storage heater systems are almost always more expensive to run than an equivalent wet heater system. They are really only best used if you have no access to gas supply or if you are on solar and have excess electricity that won’t cost you to use. The advantage of a storage heater system is the installation cost and hassle is a lot less than the wet systems.

Wet systems that run on gas will typically cost more to install, however you can save up to 50% or more on operating costs with an efficient gas heating system when compared to other central heating systems. One thing to bear in mind is gas systems do need regular servicing to keep them in 100% operating condition, so factor this into your yearly operating cost.

Are you looking at getting a central heating system installed in your home? If you would like to improve your heating system but don’t know where to start with all the options, get in contact with us now! We will help you determine what your requirements are and which system will suit your needs and budget best.