Conservatories are basically igloos made of windows, where we lounge during the summer and dry laundry inside for the rest of the year. And that’s a shame. Because by using conservatory heaters in winter - and any season really - we can live a little closer to the outside world all year-round, without having to leave the warm and comfortable boundaries of our own home.
Yet you can experience that closeness to nature in every season of the year. You can enjoy sunrises and birdsong during breakfast, or a dinner spent listening to the rain bouncing musically on the roof while a setting sun fills the entire heated conservatory with the glow of sunset orange. You can have all that just by sticking a conservatory heater in there. In less than a day, even. Just a single day of your time and the help of a professional. You could create so much more room in your home, and it would be space you can use every single day.
So, let’s discover the best way to heat a conservatory in winter and all year-round. Because the joy of snuggling up from the bad weather by using conservatory heaters in winter is a pleasure we British people have ample reason to justify.
Insulate First
Conservatories aren’t insulated nearly as well as proper walls. So double glazing is something everyone will have to have installed. It’s quite literally the best way to heat a conservatory and should be fitted as standard.
- Double glazing
- Roof insulation
- Proper ventilation
You can then also browse a number of different types of roof insulation which help keep heat trapped in longer. They can also soften direct sunlight for a more consistent climate, but you need not give up your view of the sky if you don’t want to. In short, insulate before heating. That’s the best way to keep a conservatory warm.
Electric Radiators: Heating Your Conservatory Without Plumbing
One of the best ways to heat a conservatory in winter is to install an electric radiator inside it. The beauty of heating a conservatory with an electric radiator lies in heating a conservatory efficiently - extremely efficiently - because you have it when you need it, yet you also don’t have to waste money on higher heating bills by adding it to the regular central heating loop.
- No wasted heating bills
- No plumbing costs
- Plenty of choices for size, colour and shape
The downside of using electric when heating a conservatory in winter is that costs can shoot up if you’re not careful. They may outweigh the initial costs of the plumbing, but for how long? It’s easy to turn the temperature dial up higher without realising the price impact it can have.
All of our electric radiators are extremely efficient, attractive, and all with a small footprint to conserve your floor space - why not check out the full range below?
Conservatory Trench Heating: Space-Saving Conservatory Heaters
Heating a conservatory usually involves installing a radiator that, while it may not be that large, will still take up a large amount of space just by being there. Plus, radiators need space around them. So maybe you’re thinking about installing a new radiator, but are put off by the idea of a big chunk of your space disappearing. Well, before underfloor heating became popular for bathrooms and kitchens, a conservatory most commonly benefited from Trench heating and a trench heater is still one the best heaters for a conservatory.
- Efficient and quick to heat
- Not invisible, but mostly out of sight
- Takes up minimal floor space
It’s a bit more complicated and advanced than putting a regular cast iron radiator in a hole, in the conservatory floor, and then fitting a vent over it. Trench heaters are purpose-build radiators that fit into (under) the floor, are safe to walk over, and many even feature fans to heat up a cold room in moments. The catch is that you still can’t place furniture over them, and they demand a much higher price than your standard radiator. But then again, more floor space is always worth it and you can find affordable trench heating options in our online store - as shown right.
Underfloor Heating: Invisible Conservatory Heating
Underfloor heating is popular in bathrooms to guarantee warm feet and a clutter-free visual experience. Plus, more floor space. It’s underfloor heating meaning it literally ALL goes under the floor, with no visible vents as with trench heating. This immediately means that heating won't quite be as quick as trench heaters, but the benefits of underfloor heating will show you why it’s quickly becoming the most popular method of heating in modern homes.
- Invisible
- Efficient, even heating
- Does require a lot more work
The lengthy amount of time it takes to warm up is a big disadvantage, as is the recommendation that it only be used with hardwood floor or tiles. But, since it can be timed to turn on a few hours before use, it’s easy to automate it. Still, it’s not quite as convenient as an electric radiator. Where underfloor heating in a conservatory shines, is in its even distribution of heat through the room. And obviously, the complete lack of a physical presence in the room is great. That’s a pretty big positive.
Take a peek at our underfloor heating below and be sure to shop the full range too!
Gas Central Heating: Heating a Conservatory in Winter the Usual Way
You heat the rest of your house (probably) using gas central heating and a few radiators dotted around. So why not go the whole way and put a radiator in your conservatory. A radiator in conservatory terms is going to consist of either a very dramatic and eye-catching designer radiator, or a very minimalist flat panel radiator.
There is no ‘best radiator for conservatory’ that will fully meet all your needs, but if you’re willing to sacrifice on space and large initial costs, conservatory heaters will be a part of your daily subconscious routine. No extra effort on your part, yet your conservatory heaters allow you to match the temperature of the rest of your home.
- Potential for extremely high heat outputs
- Huge range of styles
- Efficient and the most popular heating method
The hardest thing about choosing the gas central heating method for heating a conservatory in winter - is choosing the radiator. There’s an enormity of choices that goes far further than simply horizontal radiators or vertical radiators. You’re absolutely spoilt for choice.
To keep everything simple, just use our BTU calculator as your starting point to choosing a radiator.
Conclusion: Conservatory Heaters and Heating a Conservatory in Winter
Heating a conservatory in winter is about taking back a room in your home. Your room. A room rendered too cold to use by nature. A room you should be enjoying every day of the year and not just in the summer. As you’ve seen, there’s plenty of conservatory heaters available to you and each with their own benefits. In the case of the gas central heating radiator, the amount of choice you have is mind-boggling.
While most conservatories will benefit from any of our suggestions, our rough recommendation to help summarise is:
- Electric radiators for quick heat when you need it
- Trench heaters for powerful minimalist heating
- Underfloor heating for a completely unseen source of warmth
- Gas central heating for powerful and stylish heating
There’s nothing to stop you from combining two methods such as underfloor heating and an electric radiator, either. You can buy any radiator from our website knowing that it is at the lowest price possible, and we source from only the finest manufacturers. Just take a look at a list of our radiator brands.
