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 The days are longer, the trees beginning to leaf, the flowers budding. We leave the memories of winter behind us. So, it is the ideal time to start thinking about………….heating!
If you don't want to be left out in the cold in Winter then Spring is the time to contact your local artisan to get a quote for heating. Most Artisans are organising work three months ahead so you need to be taking this into account as well.
Electric heating can be a very economical way of heating your house. However any heating system is only ever as good as the insulation of the building. Something to take into consideration when spending a fare few thousand euros on central heating. You don't want to lose it through the roof or windows. Good fitting doors and double glazing will reduce your heating costs dramatically. This is true for any heating system.
With electric heating you may need to up-rate your existing supply. For a standard three bedroom house with all electric heating and cooking 12kW should be sufficient if properly installed and run. Thermostats and timers are essential. Get your water heater onto day /night tariff ('heure creuse and heure pleine' ). The first step for you is to contact EDF and arrange an 'etude'. The EDF will either pay a visit or send a form to calculate what is the best tariff for you. If you have a long-term plan for your house then think about it and mention this when speaking to EDF. If you install one tariff now it shouldn't be a problem to change later, often at no cost.
Think Ahead for Flexibility
Everyone wants the most efficient heating system installed for the lowest possible cost (oh for an ideal world!). The advantage of electric heating is that it can be modular. This means that you can install heating room by room. It can also be structured around your budget, from simple convectors to slim-line 'smart' storage heaters. Your installed system can be upgraded at anytime in the future. If you install simple convectors now, when your budget allows, you can upgrade to more efficient storage radiators controlling two zones in your residence with thermostat controls for each zone.
If you are about to start construction or renovation get your electrician to install heater connection points. It will be cheaper at this point ( and neater ) and will give you flexibility in the future.
Radiator types
There is a wide range of heating devices to suit all budgets. Starting from the cheapest ( and consequently least efficient ):
'Convecteurs'. The basic type of heater. Basically a metal box with a heating element within it. Very quick to warm a small area, very controllable. These come in a very wide range of types and sizes ( very low level for fitting just above the skirting to narrow and tall for slotting into awkward spaces. ) It has no 'latent' heat, when it is switched off it is cold.
'Panneau Rayonnant'. This has a radiating front panel. The heat doesn't dry the air as a convector and it has better diffusion of the heat. Very little latent heat.
'Inertie'. Consists of a composite metal block that diffuses warmth. This is slower to warm up than the convector but has a lot of latent heat. It will hold its temperature for more than an hour. A very gentle heat.
'Chaleur Douce'. The best type of standard radiator to fit. Does not dry the air. Has two types of heat source, an 'inertie' type of central block as well as a radiating front panel.
All of the above types can be fitted ( at a later date if necessary ) with discrete control boxes. These slide into the radiator like a cassette and can be programmed to turn on and off at specific times. These can be linked with the day/night tariff offered by EDF so that radiators only operate during cheap rate hours. It can also ensure that radiators are not left on accidentally during the day.
(For a bathroom, towel heaters can be fitted. Either electric, water or a combination)
If you decide to buy your own radiators make sure they have an economy setting not just an on/off switch. It should also have a 'hors gel' setting. Very useful if going away for a few days in the winter. Could save a few burst pipes or a burst cistern in the WC!!
The other form of heat source is the 'accumulateur', or storage heater. These have come a long way since the seventies. They come in different sizes ( down to 17cms deep ) and when run in conjunction with other radiators can be a very efficient form of heating. When linked to the day/night tariff they will only charge during cheap rate hours ( except in exceptional circumstances, i.e. when it is very cold and the accumulateur is running all day it will need to charge. If not it will go cold) and retain their heat for over eight hours. They have economy settings which allow heat to be stored when you are out of the room or during the night.
Some systems such as the Noirot/Merlin Gerin Thermosphere and Airelec storage heaters measure the amount of charge and usage from the past three days and then alter the charging time accordingly, saving electricity. It is controlled by a central control block mounted in the 'tableau principal'/ consumer unit which can also be linked to phone activation devices.
Modular control systems are the beauty of electric heating. These can all be added a later date and can include phone activation, anti frost relays, load shedding ( this allows a high power system to run on a lower 'abonnement' reducing your monthly charge ), and counters fitted in your consumer unit so you can track exactly how much your heating costs are. This can also track your hot water usage.
All the systems can help you plan your usage so as to reduce your monthly bill.
There are other systems available including under floor heating ( electric, water and 'geotherme' ) and heating panels fitted in the ceiling ( obviously to be done during renovation/build and not after.)
Of course if you have convinced yourself that you can stay warm just by burning logs, then ignore this article. You can always print it off and use it as a firelighter.
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