Of all the advantages associated with smaller properties, the range of available heating options, and how they will impact the space, is right at the forefront.
Somewhat obviously, smaller homes feature a smaller surface area to heat. As such, more compact properties are quicker to warm up, and easier to keep warm too. Crucially, over time, a smaller home will allow you to realise significant savings on energy bills.
Here, we’ll take you through some of the very best heating options to consider for a smaller home, explaining their effects both aesthetically and performance-wise.
Basically, it’s your go-to guide to get a smaller home looking lovely, feeling comfy and not costing a massive amount to run.
Designer Radiators
Sure to represent the fail-safe, tried and tested option in most people’s minds. Designer radiators are undoubtedly the most popular heating devices found in residential properties of all sizes.
It’s easy to understand why as well, especially considering the plethora of stunning modern designs on the market in all sorts of weird and wonderful shapes and colours.
More than ever, designer radiators are being looked upon as home décor rather than a simple means to warm up your home. And that notion lends itself perfectly to their potential addition in smaller homes. A lengthy vertical designer radiator, for instance, could create an eye-catching focal point in a narrow hallway, or a compact lounge or kitchen area.
There’s also no concerns whatsoever about being able to heat your room to a comfortable temperature with a designer radiator. There’s a whole world of variety in terms of heat outputs for vertical and horizontal models alike.
Heated Towel Rails
You can gain an idea of what sort of heat output is needed to adequately heat your chosen room with a BTU Calculator. And for especially tight areas such as bathrooms or narrow kitchens, a heated towel rail may very well suffice.
Another heating option to incorporate many forms, heated towel rails come in flat and curved designs, with ladder-style models also very popular.
Of course, there’s a clue in the moniker towards a heated towel rail’s primary functionality. And who doesn’t love a toasty warm towel anyway?
But provided they can accommodate your heat output requirements, there’s no good reason why towel warmers can’t and shouldn’t be used as a primary heating source in a smaller space.
The kitchen is a particularly excellent example, given that there’s very likely to be supporting heat provisions from the likes of the stove, oven and kettle as well.
Electric Radiators
Another style enjoying a steady rise to prominence in the world of home heating is the electric radiator. Again, it’s a category dominated by beautiful contemporary designs – simply unrecognizable from the eyesore options of yesteryear.
Despite this, the way in which electric radiators work is perhaps their biggest selling point to consumers. They can be classed as the most energy-efficient home heating device on the market, using an internal thermostat to shut off whenever they aren’t needed, and kick out a bit of extra heat automatically if the space drops below your ideal pre-set temperature.
That they operate extremely efficiently doesn’t necessarily mean they are the cheapest home heating option, however. And especially in smaller homes, where not as much heat is required, it might be the case that you don’t get as much bang for your buck as you perhaps should from electric radiators.
For context, the average UK cost to run an electric radiator is 14.4 pence per kilowatt per hour.
There’s no way you could be put off from an aesthetics perspective, but do some careful research, taking your heating habits into account, to make sure electric radiators work for you from a budget point of view.
Electric Underfloor Heating
This option could easily be viewed as a wise long-term investment.
The thought of underfloor heating instantly evokes thoughts of luxury and relaxation. Two invaluable traits to introduce to a property of any size, but especially so in ramping up the ‘cosy factor’ in a smaller home.
A breeze to install, electric underfloor heating can be fitted beneath any sort of surface, so you needn’t worry whether you have tiling, carpet, laminate, stone, wood, vinyl or any other sort of flooring.
On the practical side of things, it will provide an even distribution of warmth throughout the space, and could remove the need for extra heating devices elsewhere in the space.
Though ultimately, the fact that it really can enhance the long-term value of your property is evidence enough that underfloor heating is a superb option for smaller homes.
So, which Heating Option is Best for Smaller Homes?
All in all, each of the aforementioned heating solutions have their own specific merits, and something unique to offer to smaller properties.
Whether that be in the form of a stylish focal point for your chosen space, a diminutive device for a vital bit of extra warmth, or an all-encompassing flooring upgrade to add a touch of class to the area, it’s up to you.
Just think about your heating habits as well as your BTU requirements to make sure you come to the right, and most cost-effective decision, on the best heating option specific to your smaller home.