Taking a look at the growing hidden heating options available on the market and weighing up the pros and cons
Heating homes is a lot different than it once was. Way back when, people would light the fireplace and the family would huddle around the flames to keep warm. These days, only a handful of houses even have fireplaces installed, and most are for decorative purposes only, so that really shows how far from those days we are now. Not only do we have at least one radiator in every room that makes the room the perfect, comfortable temperature, but there are plenty of other heating options available on the market to add extra heat to homes. With innovations in the sector, the choices available to heat one’s home are expanding rapidly, especially within the ‘hidden heating’ sector.
Hidden heating saves on space, and is often able to be paired with eco-friendly alternatives of heat generation, so can be an attractive option for those interested in living a more eco lifestyle. Hidden heating is ideal for city living, or in smaller flats and homes as almost no space is taken up by bulky heating systems, so there is more room for furniture and day-to-day living.
With an increasing amount of options for housebuilders and homeowners in terms of hidden heating options, it is difficult to know which options are the best for different property types. This articles aim is to be a guide in deciding which hidden heating option is right for any circumstance.
Underfloor Heating
Underfloor heating is possibly the best-known option in the hidden heating market. Underfloor heating is mostly used in bathrooms, but it wasn’t developed for that reason. Many opt for underfloor heating in the bathroom for a spa-like experience from the comfort of their own home. A study conducted by Which? found that 53% of those surveyed had underfloor heating in their bathrooms, 50% had it in their kitchens, but only 25% had underfloor heating in their living rooms. This study suggests that there is still hesitation around the roll-out of underfloor heating throughout the home, most probably due to preconceived ideas of the heating form…
Skirting board Heating
The days of skirting boards being a purely design element, or even being used to cover imperfections, are over. Merging the mechanics of radiators and underfloor heating into a hidden heating feature, skirting board heating is an interesting, yet less used feature in the home. Skirting board heating looks very similar to traditional skirting boards, yet provide heat via hot water, like a radiator, or via an electrical element. Working in essentially the same way to radiators, skirting board heating seems like a savvier idea due to taking up virtually no space, so if someone wants to get rid of their radiators, they can and instead fill that space with furniture, or a mural to add colour to their home…
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