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When choosing a heating system for your conservatory, you need to take into account the conservatory's insulation. Like any living space, a conservatory needs a heating system for the winter. To make the right choice, follow our advice.

Insulation and orientation in the choice of heating for a conservatory

The very nature of a conservatory means that it is mainly made up of glazed surfaces. To heat the conservatory, it is therefore essential to take the following parameters into account when choosing glazing:

Thermal transmittance (U)

U-value or thermal transmittance, which indicates heat loss from the inside to the outside. The lower it is, the better the thermal performance.

Solar factor (SF or g)

The solar energy transmitted through the glazing (solar factor SF or g). The lower the solar factor, the lower the solar gain.

Light transmission (LT)

Light transmission (LT), which measures the percentage of light that passes through the glazing. The higher it is, the more effective the glazing is in terms of thermal insulation.

Light reflection (LR)

Light reflection (LR), which measures the degree of reflection of a pane of glass. The higher the coefficient, the more reflective the appearance of the glazing.

Depending on the region in which the conservatory is located, these parameters must be adjusted to achieve a thermal balance and heat the conservatory in winter. In the case of an aluminium conservatory, the profiles should have a total thermal break, such as those designed by AKENA. In addition, a conservatory fitted with integrated roller shutters will also allow you to modulate the thermal performance.

How do you heat a conservatory or extension?

To heat a conservatory or extension, make sure it is optimally insulated. Then it's time to choose the best conservatory air conditioning/heating system. There are several possible solutions.

Heating solutions

  • Extension of the house's central heating circuit which, although practical, requires a boiler of sufficient capacity
  • Underfloor heating, which is economical and compatible with many heating systems
  • Solar energy, although this may not be enough and you may need a back-up system during periods of extreme cold.
  • A heat pump that draws energy from the ground, the water table or the air.

Plancher chauffant, chauffage véranda Akena Underfloor heating
Soleil - Orientation - Véranda AKENA Solar energy
Radiateur Véranda Akena Extension of the house's central heating circuit
Pompe à chaleur, chauffage véranda Akena Heat pump

How can you heat a conservatory without breaking the bank?

Poêle à bois dans une véranda - Akena

If you want to heat your conservatory more cheaply, you need to opt for solutions that are easy to install. The less work you need to do, the more economical your heating will be.

The way you heat your conservatory will depend mainly on how it will be used. If it's a room you'll be using occasionally, like a second living room for entertaining, for example, you'll only heat it occasionally when you know you'll be spending time there. Another energy-saving solution is to heat the conservatory only during the day. By combining the degrees gained from the sun and those provided by your heating system, you can quickly achieve a comfortable temperature at a lower cost.

If you want a conservatory that's warm in winter, without the sun or heating, you need to focus on insulating your conservatory. This must be absolutely optimal to avoid having a room that's too cool. However, it's not a good idea not to include a heating system in your conservatory.

You should also consider installing solar panels to help reduce your energy consumption.

How do you heat a conservatory?

Ideally, conservatory heating should be considered and chosen when the conservatory is being built. This allows you to extend your home's heating circuit. The conservatory is then truly integrated into the rest of the house and benefits from the same temperatures, thanks in particular to the presence of a thermostat. However, the boiler needs to be powerful enough to cover an extra room.

Radiateur Véranda Akena
Electric heating

Adding an electric heater (or several, depending on the size of the conservatory) seems the best option. Especially as it can be installed in an older conservatory without having to call in a tradesman to fit it out. To get the most out of it, position the radiator as close as possible to the area where you'll be sitting: that way you'll feel the benefits more.

If you choose a radiant electric heater, opt for a short-wave model. It will be more effective in a room with so many glass fronts. The far infrared radiator, also known as IRL, needs to accumulate heat in the walls, floors and ceilings, which is almost impossible here.

Chauffage, poêle à granulés Véranda Akena
Wood-burning stove

If you're planning to install a wood-burning stove in your conservatory, you'll also need to have a flue system installed at the same time. All this while complying with the best guidelines for insulating your new living space. The size and, above all, the power of the stove will depend on the surface area of your conservatory. Its position can then be varied: why not install it in the middle of the room so you can enjoy the view of the flames?

Pompe à chaleur, chauffage véranda Akena
Heat pump

A heat pump has two advantages: not only will it heat your conservatory in winter, but it will also make your conservatory cooler in summer. Air-to-air models are often recommended because they capture the heat in the outside air before releasing it indoors.

Vitrage véranda Akena
Heated glazing

There is also heated glazing. Rarer, they require an electrical supply to enable the inner pane to transmit heat.

What heating capacity for the conservatory?

Generally speaking, as for the rest of the house, you first need to calculate the volume of your room to be heated. This is calculated by multiplying the floor area by the ceiling height.

For a standard height of 2.5 m, the average required to heat an interior room is 100 w per m² (for electric radiators). If your conservatory is older or has less-than-optimal insulation, this is the bare minimum on which to base your calculations. These measures also apply to wood-burning stoves.

You should also take into account the region in which you live. If your climate is mild or cold, you will have different heating requirements. For example, with poor insulation, 40 W/m³ will be enough in the most temperate areas, whereas 60 W/m³ will be needed in cooler areas.

Véranda Akena - Pièce à vivre

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