| Your
Home |
Different
homes require different heating solutions. Consider the
size of your home, whether it's double or single storey,
and if your house is on a slab or stumps/piers |
| Personal comfort: |
can your heater
be used in bedrooms and bathrooms as well as living areas? |
| Size needed: |
how many rooms
do you want heated? |
| Zoning: |
can you heat
just the rooms you want (eg. living areas in the daytime,
bedrooms at night)? |
| Whole house
heating: |
would you like
every room in your home to be heated, or just the living
areas? |
| If you're building: |
it's often
best to install your heating during construction |
|
| Product
performance the heating unit |
Performance
will depend on whether you have selected the right heater
for your type of house and whether the heater has been
correctly sized. |
| Start up and
shut down: |
is there quiet
start up and shut down of the fan? |
| Range of sizes: |
can it heat
your house size? |
| Ignition: |
is it electronic
or does it have a pilot light? |
| Gas: |
does it come
in LPG or Natural Gas? |
| Safety: |
has the unit
got multiple backup systems? |
|
| Product
performance controls |
Controlling
your system should be easy. Wall controllers should be
sophisticated yet simple to use. |
| Programmable: |
do you want
to have the unit start before |
| Variable temperature: |
can you adjust
the temperature?
how accurate is the temperature control |
| Adaptability: |
can the controls
handle a cooling system |
| Features: |
can they be
easily programmed? |
|
| Ductwork
& fittings |
The
performance of a ducted heating system is greatly affected
by the ductwork, which brings the warm air from the unit
into your home. |
| Insulation
properties: |
is the ductwork
the right insulation rating (R rating) for your chosen
heater? |
| Return air
grille: |
the return
air grille draws air from the house back to the heater,
and should be located at floor level to get maximum benefit
from the system. |
| Filter |
do you want
an air filter attached to the return grille? |
| Location: |
have the ducts
been placed near windows to achieve an even temperature
in your home? |
| Floor/ceiling
outlets: |
what style
or colour is suitable (ensuring that performance and your
house style are not compromised)? |
|
| Cost |
Running
costs can vary greatly depending on the energy efficiency
of the heater you buy. You can save up to R1600 per year
with a high efficiency heater, which means that an efficient
heater can pay for itself over a few years and add value
to your house. |
| Running costs: |
have the differences
been calculated between a high efficiency or a standard
unit? |
| Investment
return: |
how many years
will you be living in your home? |
|
| Service |
A
good central heater should last 15-20 years, often longer
- but only if it is regularly maintained. |
| Response time: |
if your unit
needs attention, can you get it attended to quickly? |
| Service backup: |
does the manufacturer
have their own service department and trained agents? |
| Convenience: |
do they operate
a seven-day service and can you get help over the phone? |
| Maintenance: |
do they offer
a service to maintain the unit in future years? |
| Warranty: |
do they offer
a comprehensive warranty? will they honour it? |
|
| Installation |
The performance of your heater relies a great deal on
its installation. Ensure that your installer is a trained
specialist. The R400 difference in quotes means nothing
if you don't trust the installer to cut holes in your
floor or ceiling. |
| Professionalism: |
does the manufacturer
recommend the installer? |
| Credibility: |
do they show
evidence of work they have completed in your area? |
| Workmanship: |
have they
explained how the unit is to be installed and where the
ducts should go? |
| Duct plan: |
have they
measured your house for the right size unit and shown
you the plan? |
| Commissioning: |
will they
go through the instructions and teach you how to get the
best out of your system? |
|
| The
Manufacturer |
Manufacturers
all claim they have quality procedures and reliable products.
Make sure you get enough proof of this to make an informed
decision. You need to trust that the manufacturer will
support you. |
| Quality goods: |
do you want
a quality made product? |
| Customer focus: |
can the manufacturer
support your needs? |
| Specialisation: |
do they specialise
in ducted heating, or sell other products as well? |
| Guarantee: |
do they guarantee
the whole system or just their heating unit? |
| Quality: |
do they have
ISO Quality accreditation and EMC compliance? |
|
| The
Environment |
An
all-electric household produces five times the quantity
of carbon dioxide emissions produced by a household which
uses natural gas for hot water, cooking and heating. By
using natural gas you are reducing the greenhouse warming
effect. |
| Energy efficiency: |
have you checked
the product's star rating? |
| |
|
