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Heating options Updated 04 Apr 2012

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Hot water radiators - Central Heating Posted by: Tasia Stace 18 Apr 2012 11:01am

I must also say that I am disappointed that hot water radiators are not included in this review. We have solar for our hot water and hot water towel rails on this loop. We have a solid fuel cooker for the hot water boost and the radiators. The radiators are second hand cast iron and the whole system works fantastically. Our power consumption runs at around $80 a month.

Hydronic heating Posted by: Margaret H McKenzie 03 Nov 2011 1:21pm

As one of the many Christchurch families who are rebuilding following our EQ's I am very interested in this type of heating and particularly some idea of which are the better operators in this field. It seems to be like pulling hen's teeth to try and get the same detailed information from supplier in order to make a comparison. Consumer can you help please?

More info on whole-house options please! Posted by: Sarah Jones 05 Jun 2011 1:13pm

I would just like to add my voice to the request for Consumer to consider doing a report on heating options for the whole house. We would like to hear more about gas or heat pump ducted central heating, and also radiator systems. Hopefully there is enough interest to spark this report sometime soon... Thanks

LPG Prices this years chart Posted by: Planespotter 08 May 2011 11:18am

(1)This years chart shows that suddenly LPG prices are competitive with other energy sources. I hav heard of no sudden price drop here in CHCH.
(2)Why the disparity between LPG cabinet heaters and LPG flued heated and LPG central heating. I can see that the LPG price for 9kg Bottles is inflated by road tax on service station LPG. But the 40kg bottle delivered LPG price in the south Island is still horrendous and should be the same for stand alone heating or Central heating.
Is this a north island price rating for reticulated LPG?
Can you differentiate the price of North Island LPG which has competiotion and South Island LPG prices?

Reply 1: Posted by: Planespotter 08 May 2011 11:24am

just read Daniel and Phallic's comments. Agree but still why was LPG portrayed in last year's Consumer's chart as NZs most expensive energy source yet this year it is middle of the scale? What has changed?

Reply 2: Posted by: Planespotter 08 May 2011 11:33am

Oh just noticed no price for coal burning. Burning coal in a modern technology burner or automatic screw fed boiler can be clean and economical. Is there an ideological anti coal sentiment at Consumers?

Reply 3: Posted by: Consumer Staff 26 May 2011 5:30pm

Hi planespotter
1) LPG prices have not gone up (unusual I know!) while other energy sources have.
2) LPG flued heaters are more efficient, and 9kg bottles don't just have road tax, there are filling charges etc. which mean it costs at least 40% more to buy it that way. By the way - Auto LPG prices have gone down... how do you figure that?
3) Our price is not for reticulated NI as there is no such thing. It's for 45kg bottles and North Island 45kg LPG prices are very similar to South Island. There is no more competition in the NI vs the SI in LPG, i.e not much up here either!
Reply 1, see above.
Reply 2, how many domestic users have screw fed coal boilers? When 10,000 or more do, we'll quote the costs. We are not ideologically opposed, it's just a very small niche market.

Hamish Wilson
Research and Testing Manager

Natutral gas connection cost Posted by: Lee Wilson 30 Mar 2011 11:21am

If you live in Wellington, Taranaki, Manawatu or Hawke's Bay then on the Powerco natural gas netowrk there is often no connection cost. They offer a 40m free connection to the network if you install gas hot water or central heating, so not only is it free to connect, you get the benefits of lower running costs.

Life expectancy of heating devices Posted by: Lowin 28 Mar 2011 10:50am

I'd be really interested in seeing some work done on life expectancies of heating devices. I know that wood burners last a long time, but query whether heat pumps really have it in them. Certainly in corrosive environments (coastal areas, Rotorua) they have rather a short life expectancy - why shell out a few thousand for a device that might only last 10 years if you're lucky?. The warrenties are usually only for half that - and flued gas heaters have only a 2 or 3 year warrenty - what's their life expectancy? And what about pellet burners - they have fans in them, what's the warrenty period and maintenance requirements?

heatpump Posted by: Bruce 27 Mar 2011 9:53pm

we have an old villa. have used flued gas for many years. 2 years ogo installed 2 heat pumps...wish we had done so years ago. Cheaper to run and quicker to heat. Would never use gas again by choice. One room still has a flued gas heater.

Don't Understand? Posted by: Daniel Clement 25 Mar 2011 9:28pm

How is it that an unflued LPG is more expensive that a flued? If you put your hand over the outlet of a flue, you will feel heat excapeing into the atmosphere, not into the home. I accept that unflued has lots of disadvantages including condensation, but purely on $ per KW of heating I don't think you are correct, and it concerns me about how valid your tests are?