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Minimalist Heating Ideas for Modern Homes

Whether you have subscribed to a minimalist philosophy or not, your home needs heat. If you are living in a freezing cold home, you may need to get your heating repaired. It’s bad for your health and not great for the property or furnishings. Most modern homes come with some form of heating, but not all types of heating are what could be described as minimalist.

The average home has a furnace. You might need to organize a furnace repair in Salt Lake City once a year, but for the most part the furnace is out of sight and out of mind, located in a basement or outside store where you don’t have to look at it. This isn’t the problem; it’s the wall heaters and radiators that are the issue, as very often they are ugly and not in keeping with a minimalist décor. Fortunately, you still have plenty of options if you want a warm home.

Underfloor Heating

Underfloor heating is a popular choice in many homes, as it provides an efficient source of heat underfoot. There are two different types of underfloor heating. The cheapest to install is electric wire coil mats, but this costs more to run. Wet underfloor heating is more expensive to install because it must be connected to your boiler, but cheaper to run, although it will take several years to recoup your money.

Underfloor heating is out of sight and perfect for tiled or any other type of hard floor. Wet underfloor heating is best installed when a floor is laid, as it needs a layer of concrete skim on top. If this is not an option, electric underfloor heating mats are a better choice. Either way, it removes the requirement for ugly wall heaters and is a popular choice for minimalist homes, especially kitchens and bathrooms.

Designer Radiators

Designer radiators have become increasingly popular in recent years, with some very attractive designs on the market. Cheap radiators are rather ugly and can ruin the look of a minimalist decorative scheme. If you want clean lines and an uncluttered feel, look for sleek, vertical radiators. Some of the best designer models look more like a work of art than a heating appliance. Traditional radiators are generally white lacquered metal, but if you choose a designer model, you can select any color you like, from silver and steel grey to painted designs in keeping with your color scheme.

Instead of trying to hide your ugly radiator behind a wooden screen, which only serves to block the radiant heat, make it a feature in your room. Look for clean, innovative designs that blend into a modern room.

furnace repair in Salt Lake City

Hot Air Heating

Hot air heating ducts are common in many North American homes. This type of heating works well in a minimalist design, as you can hide the ducts behind strategically placed items of furniture and enjoy a heated room, clutter free.

Multi Fuel Stoves

If you want to create a focal point in your minimalist room, nothing beats a roaring fire. However, a traditional fireplace is not always the right look for a minimalist décor. Fireplaces are messy and you need a hearth. Installing a multi fuel stove is a much better option.

Choose a sleek, minimalist design that sits in the corner of a room on a slab of stone or slate. Some of the best modern designs have a futuristic feel, yet they provide excellent heat efficiency and are a wonderful addition to a modern room. Another option worth considering is an inset multi fuel stove or wood burner. Inset stoves are exactly as the name suggests in that they sit in the wall seamlessly, acting as a focal point as well as a source of radiant heat.

Gas Fires

Gas is a clean, attractive form of heating. Modern gas fires are attractive and simplistic in design, so they work well in a minimalist room. Look for inset living-flame gas fires. They are cost efficient to run and easy to maintain.

Electric Heaters

Electric wall heater design has come a long way in the last twenty years. Modern electric heaters come in many different innovative designs and finishes. You can choose from polymer, metal and glass heaters. Some are decorative; others are designed to blend in.

Whether you need an extra heater or a full central heating system, it’s important to consider the pros and cons of different types. Make sure any heating system you choose is compatible with any existing boiler.

Alec Neufeld is a retired builder, now freelance writer and part-time general fix it man. He has strong opinions on the use of alternate energy and is also an avid sports enthusiast.

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