Its so cold .... indoors!

Robert · Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2004 12:31 am Post subject: Its so cold .... indoors!

When people heard that we were going to NZ some said ' oh its like the 1950s there isn't it' I didn't think they meant home heating! Our rented house has very poor insulation, no nice warm radiators, a wood burning fire, pathetic double glazing if at all and gaps in the door frames. Two bedrooms have no heating at all. On what was only a relatively cool autumn day - think mid spring UK style, with no frost during the night, I think that it was colder indoors at 13C than it was outdoors. Its hard not to think back to the cosy house left behind in the UK.....

This lack of insulation is not uncommon as having looked at a few houses for sale, they all seemed to suffer the same problems. Condensation and mildew are also said to be a problem. If you see your rented house or potential purchase on a warm day - look very carefully as you might find yourself huddled round the fire on these long winter evenings!

eddy · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Posts: 11

Welcome to new Zealand. We've even spoken to Russians that can't believe how damp and cold houses are here!.
Even new houses can be cold if little or no heating has been installed.
If you can find the cash a dehumidifer is worth it's weight in gold.
Good luck

JCM · Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2004 5:54 pm Post subject:

Get yourself a nice modern house with double glazing and underfloor heating - ahhhh bliss. Wink

Mind you, the kiwi obsession with aluminium-framed double-glazing means more condensation than you'd ever get on wooden framed d-g in the UK.

goldwheels · Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2004 7:45 pm Post subject:

Heat pumps are the way to go here, I’ve just ordered 2. Well recommended according to alot of people. For 1 KWatt of power you get 3 KWatt out from them so they are very efficient.
We definitely miss the central heating, we have been burning wood in the log fire for the past 3 weeks as the house is cold even when its T-shirt weather outside.

robernelli · Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2004 10:15 pm Post subject:

goldwheels · Posted: Thu Apr 15, 2004 10:58 pm Post subject:

Heat pumps are air conditioning units, which produce hot and cold air. We have bought inverter type units which are more economical than the standard type. They can cost around $3000 upwards, depending on what type and power the unit is. Alot of the houses here have them in, as there is no gas piped around the South island you don't see many homes with central heating. Another option would to be install a diesel boiler to run the hot water and central heating. We were told this could be around the $15000 mark for installation

John Miller · Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2004 9:46 am Post subject:

How are you finding the heat pump goldwheels?

evelynne_r · I Like It Here Joined: 25 Jan 2004 Posts: 94

Just to add to this note: those Kiwis are a hardy lot. One of them said to me the other day, half seriously, "oh, it's not that cold indoors in your place - you can't see your breath!!"

Evelynne

Robert · Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2004 8:56 pm Post subject:

You do get used to it some. We spend a fortune on heating and the house is at best cool. I have noticed though that temperatures which used to have me reaching for the central heating switch in the UK feel ok now.

The most awkard bit is keeping on top of all the different fuels in use.

We use wood (about $0.60 per hour for approx 15KW), requiring a large load every 6 weeks, LPG gas 9KG ($17) every 3 weeks or so, Electric blankets and 2 electric heaters. there is also gas ducted air heating but this costs a fortune to run and you still have to keep up with re-ordering cylinders to supply that.

there are times I find myself longing for the simplicity and low noise of radiators with a central boiler. You can get them here too (a lot cheaper than heat pumps) but you still have to order fuel in. Hey Ho...

susanlin · Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2004 8:56 pm Post subject:

Hi all

We have a heat pump in our new home. Really warm in the lounge where it is located but find it doesn't get warm elsewhere in the house, despite leaving all the doors open.

sue

Moorf · Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2004 9:00 pm Post subject:

So do you think that hubby and I will be okay as we've lived in Scotland for years... Brrrrrrrrrr !!

So, can I assume they don't have central heating there (did I miss a thread?) and if not, why not?!

karltsmith · Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2004 10:54 pm Post subject:

Hi Moorf,

Central heating is very very rare in NZ unless you specify it in a new build! The nearest you can achieve to it is to move the candle to the centre of the room and huddle together very closely.

It's usually a case of...."now where did we put those heaters"....when May/June comes along!

Although NZ has generally a milder climate than the UK the homes are not built to the same specifications and a lot of heat is lost as a result. What most people do is to seal the place up, including blocking of chimney's, to stop the heat escaping....rather than have good cavity wall insulation. This of course leads to the dreaded condensation problems and mould and mildew!

Things are changing though and newly built properties are built to a higher standard. Having said that you do only get what you pay for and close scrutiny of a building spec is advisable before signing up to build a new home.

H · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 22 Jun 2004 Posts: 11

So what do you reckon,
Chuck out grannies antique four poster bed, and fill the cargo crate with rockwool, a multi-point boiler, various radiators and a full range of UVPC D.G windows Razz

H

hey, how do you get the smilies up?

karltsmith · Posted: Sat Jul 17, 2004 11:44 pm Post subject:

Hi H,

I'm sure you will be able to take some orders for the DG units! Clapping

Boiler systems and radiators available in NZ...but the DG units are not like the UK ones!
Uhoh

Karl

Timbo · Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2004 12:04 am Post subject:

It does seem to go against the NZ super green type attitude that we are led to believe exists. No insulation, poor draught proofing and everyone burning wood all add up to pollution of the atmosphere in a big way.
I really would have thought that New zealand was much more environmentally friendly.