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We’ve got the word on keeping your home warm and stylish this winter
Ella wears: striped hoodie $59, satin skirt $100, leggings $48 and merino scarf $55, all from KAF; boots Ella’s own; Ella holds a vintage lemonade crate $225 from Romantique.
There’s a lot to consider when choosing home heating. Do you want a centralised or room-by-room system? Fuelled by electricity, wood or gas? Are you building new or retro-fitting? How important are air quality, low noise output and aesthetics? For energy-efficient models, look for the globally recognised Energy Star mark. Environmental matters also come into play; as the Right House website (www.righthouse.co.nz) says: “Heat your home, not the world.”
Above: Vienna chair $315 and Wrap Me Around You throw $197, both from CC Interiors; Glerups felted wool indoor shoes $189 from Design Denmark; number 3 $13.80 from CC Interiors.
Above left: Crate $75 from Romantique; on crate, from top: check throw $299 from Harrowset Hall; Musgo cotton throw $129 from Acland; herringbone throw $179.40 from CC Interiors; velvet sheen cushion in taxi yellow $37.50 from Acland.
Top right: Wooden vase $87.40 from CC Interiors; antique books $100 each from Romantique; small lantern $29 from Tully & Gardener; nest stylist’s own.
Lower right: Blanket box $1950 and wooden bowl $58.90, both from Acland; numbers 0 and 3 $13.80 each from CC Interiors; calfskin $249 from Gorgeous Creatures; other items stylist’s own.
The Rinnai Neo gas fireplace has a heat output of 6.94kW (using natural gas), a 4.1-star energy rating and can be used with natural gas or LPG.
Central heating
Delivered unobtrusively to every room, central heating typically offers constant temperatures throughout the entire home. In hydronic systems, hot water linked to a boiler or heat pump flows through plastic pipes embedded in a concrete base. They can be operated in conjunction with other hydronic options, such as a network of radiators, which can readily be retro-fitted in existing houses. Radiators take up wall space and may restrict furniture placement; their fins heat up to create gentle warmth, so consider using radiator covers if small children are present. FL Bone, which specialises in customised central heating, offers diesel and natural gas boilers, solid fuel furnaces, pressed steel radiators and Aquatherm underfloor heating.
 Above left: Glerups felted wool indoor shoes $189 from Design Denmark; Ngale round stool $235 from Acland; on stool, from top: woven check throw $179 from CC Interiors; Lincoln throw in royal blue/navy $89.50 from Acland; grey ribbed throw $179 from CC Interiors; knitting and nest stylist’s own.
Above right: Knitting stylist’s own.
Going electric
Demand for heat pumps continues to grow and the latest research says they’re now present in 20 per cent of New Zealand homes. Heat pumps boast energy efficiencies of up to COP 4 (COP stands for co-efficient of performance) – that means they provide up to 4kW of heat for every 1kW of electrical energy used. Push-button controls, cooling in summer and air filtration add to the attraction of heat pumps.
Ducted heat pump systems are becoming increasingly popular, especially for newly built homes. With multi-split systems, several indoor units can be attached to a single outdoor unit. Mitsubishi Electric’s GE series of heat pumps now includes three larger-capacity models with 7-9kW heating capacity as well as seven-day timers. The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (eeca.govt.nz) lists models with an Energy Star rating.
Available in four styles from The Fireplace, built-in electric fires require no venting or chimney – just a power point. The Riva 67 features realistic flickering flames with heat controllable via remote.
In addition to oil-filled radiators and column heaters, DeLonghi offers remote-controlled electronic tower ceramic heaters and convection models. Night-store heaters, which draw off-peak power overnight then release heat slowly throughout the day, can be an economical option if you’re at home during the day. Simple fan heaters can provide instant heat for short periods in bathrooms.
 Above: Numbers 3 and 0 $13.80 each from CC Interiors; log, candle and husks stylist’s own. Left: Spanish chair by Fredericia POA from Design Denmark; throw $299 from Harrowset Hall; (on chair arm) Familia by Normann Copenhagen plate $35 and cup $54, both from Design Denmark; on the mantelpiece, from left: nest stylist’s own; Cypress Skyline, photographic print on canvas by La Grolla $299 from Freedom; Tangent clock radio $599 from Design Denmark; large lantern $59 and small lantern $29, both from Tully & Gardener; small table $128 from Acland; on table: Familia teapot by Normann Copenhagen $453 from Design Denmark; antique books $100 each from Romantique; reindeer skin POA from Gorgeous Creatures.
Right: Claudia wears Elvang scarf in 100 per cent alpaca; crate $75 from Romantique; on crate, from top: mother-of-pearl buttoned cushion $62.50 from CC Interiors; Azalea cushion $65.90 and Lincoln throw in oyster $89.50, both from Acland; vintage log basket $125 from Romantique.
Solid fuel options
Pellet-burners and wood-burners satisfy our enduring penchant for the ambience of old-fashioned fires. The newer the model, the more energy-efficient a wood or pellet-burner is likely to be, so opt for the latest release that your budget allows. Modern models also function with minimal release of harmful emissions. Made from recycled sawmill waste, clean-burning pellets are the low-carbon-emission fuel option. All burners must meet strict environmental standards for discharge and thermal efficiency. See
mfe.govt.nz for a list of authorised wood-burners.
 The Fireplace’s Jetmaster wood-burners are available in nine sizes and have a heat output up to five times greater than traditional brick fireplaces; the largest will heat up to 280sqm. The Quadra-Fire wood-burner has a patented four-point combustion system that burns the smoke just like fuel, meaning “cleaner air, less chimney maintenance and fewer trips to the woodpile”. Dr Flue stocks Metro and Firenzo branded wood-burners as well as a range of fire screens, grates and child-guards.
Left: The Tarras fire by Woodsman can accommodate logs up to 600mm long, is Clean Air-approved with a wetback and is capable of burning overnight on a single load.
 This classically styled Bolection fire surround is hand-carved in natural Oamaru limestone, from the Natural Stone Fireplace Co.
Warm up with gas
Especially suited to installation in contemporary homes, Flameboyant’s gas-fired models offer “all the charm of an open fire”. Its Ribbon model consists of “a glamorous flame that floats in a continuous ribbon the width of the fireplace” and is available in a combination of brushed and polished stainless steel. Rinnai’s Energysaver heaters run on natural gas or LPG. With an Energy Star rating of 4.1, the Neo Freestanding Console gas fireplace can be built in for modern homes or on a freestanding plinth for more traditional settings. The Rinnai Reflection Advance ETR model will slot into an existing masonry chimney and so is suitable for renovations.
The Fireplace’s gas fires are open or glass-fronted and include Jetmaster, Heat-n-Glo and Gazco brands. Inspired by the setting sun, the gas-fuelled Heat-n-Glo Solaris features a continuous levitating flame – said to be the world’s only “infinity flame”. Real Fires has gas fires to suit every room size. The Through Wall model can be enjoyed in two rooms simultaneously – or indoors and out at once. There is a range of trims and grates available, and even fan-assisted convection on some models. Award-winning Dunedin-based Escea designs and manufactures gas fires for both indoors and out, with either freestanding or in-wall application. Fuel effects offered include coals, logs, river rocks, stones and driftwood.
Passive heating
Double glazing, insulation (such as Pink Batts) and thermal curtains (preferably floor-length) are all tools that reduce heat loss in a home. And, though there’s an upfront cost for introducing these elements, you’ll eventually recoup the costs with reduced energy bills. See energywise.govt.nz for details on the Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart programme that offers up to $1300 towards the cost of installing ceiling and underfloor insulation for homes built before 2000. Double glazing is said to halve the heat loss through windows – and triple glazing is an option if you live in ultra-cold climes. Suitable for retro-fitting, “secondary glazing” involves installing a second pane of glass within an existing window frame.
Experts on sustainable homes, Ebode, advocate using a thermal mass such as a north-facing concrete slab that absorbs the sun’s rays by day then releases warmth as the temperature cools at night. A brick or stone feature wall will achieve the same result. It’s recommended that trees be cut back from the house to allow the sun’s rays to penetrate and any gaps in doors or windows are filled to prevent draughts. Consider Styrobeck’s Wunderfloor polystyrene panels for effective insulation underneath wooden floors.
 Table $128 from Acland; Ric hand towel $24, Familia by Normann Copenhagen plate $35, cup $54 and teapot $453, all from Design Denmark; antique books $100 each from Romantique.
Contacts:
Acland - (09) 630 6177 CC Interiors - 0800 651 112 Design Denmark - (09) 361 3333 Freedom - 0800 373 336 Gorgeous Creatures - (09) 522 1050 KAF Design - (09) 360 8131 Natural Stone Fireplace Co - www.naturalstonefireplace.co.nzRinnai - www.rinnai.co.nz
Romantique - (09) 520 2087
Tully & Gardener - (09) 360 7576
Thank you to Dean and Tanya Gerrard for the use of their lovely house and to Ella Ewing, our model.
Story: Shelley Bridgeman
Photographs: Jane Ussher
Stylist: Claudia Kozub
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