Room heaters in a loft conversion

If the house whose loft is being converted does not already have a central heating system, it is a good idea to consider installing one (with a condensing boiler). If this is not appropriate or affordable, the new living space may be fitted with fixed individual room heaters.

Several types of room heater are available, running on gas or electricity.

Better models have time and temperature controls. A room heater (unless electric or employing a balanced flue) needs a supply of combustion air from outside.

In addition to traditional open hearth and fireplace installations, natural gas heaters are available in wall-mounted models. Wall-mounted units offer some flexibility in room design. Some models must be fitted on an external wall, but others can be fitted on an internal wall with the flue routed to an external wall.The efficiencies of natural gas heaters vary.

Some decorative 'open-basket' focal-point heaters have efficiencies as low as 20 per cent, but those of closed radiant convector heaters (including some with the popular coal effect) can exceed 75 per cent.

Electric panel heaters, convector heaters and radiant heaters are 100 per cent efficient (all the energy in the electricity is turned into heat) but they are very expensive to run because they use on-peak electricity, and the associated carbon emissions are high.Where possible, these heaters should be equipped with programmers or time-clocks, and thermostatic

controls.

A gas-fired room heater will produce much lower carbon emissions than an electric heater.