Underfloor heating has always been considered the more luxurious form of heating, only because the upfront cost of installation is a lot higher than other systems used to heat your home. It means hard floor surfaces are warm to the touch and the system is completely silent, there is no warm air being blown around your home. The system does not take up any wall space and is completely hidden from view. Underfloor systems can run at much lower temperatures than radiator systems, which increases the efficiency of the boilers and heat pumps used to supply the heat. What is underfloor heating? Underfloor heating is a hydronic heating system that uses a gas boiler or hot water heat pump to produce a supply of warm water. The warm water is circulated through your home via plastic pipes installed within the concrete slab. The pipes within the slab conduct warmth to the surface, which pushes the heat energy to the room above. This system gives even heat to your entire home and is completely safe around children. Installation options An underfloor central heating system is very difficult to retrofit to an existing home as the hot water pipes are embedded within the concrete slab. However, these systems are suited to new build homes. It is very important to plan the underfloor heating well in advance as it is fitted in the slab very early on. Underfloor options There are a few different options when it comes to underfloor heating. The different manufacturers use slightly different technology to achieve the central heating of you home. In-slabThis is the most common warm water underfloor heating system in New Zealand. This is mainly because it is the most cost effective to install in a standard home with a concrete floor slab, but it will require special considerations from the architect and builder. A typical Kiwi Inslab system will provide heating to the designated rooms in eight hours and is generally left on low continuously. European screed underfloor heatingThis is usually around 50mm thick and has reduced thermal mass when compared to in-slab. This is completely insulated from the rest of the building and outside, which means lower heat losses, higher efficiency and faster response to controls. Multitubo micro-screedThis is a much thinner system using smaller pipes laid into a special moulded floor plate. A screed is spread over the pipes, with the flooring laid over the top. Due to its low weight and height, this method is more suitable for installing over existing timber floors as well as concrete floors. Metal plate timber floor systemAlloy plates to spread heat are laid under floor boards or timber panel floors. The pipes are clipped into the plates which conduct the heat away from the pipes. This can be used to retrofit an existing home if the existing floor is strong enough and the raised floor level is acceptable. Installation costs Installation costs may be less than you expect. This will also vary depending on the type of underfloor heating you’ve picked for your home. Some options cost a lot more than other to install, but may have lower running costs in the long run. It is important to consider the space that needs to be heated, not the floor size of your home. Most people would not insulate their garage. A house smaller than 100sqm would see a higher installation cost per square metre; while a home bigger than 250sqm would have lower installation costs. The type fuel source you use may also impact the installation costs and should be factored in when making your decision. Running costs Running costs can vary depending on the source of heat: Natural gas has an estimated monthly running cost of $285 per month LPG has an estimated running cost of $575 per month Diesel has an estimated running cots of $410 per month Firewood has an estimated running cost of $250 per month Air to water heat pump has an estimated running cost of $285 per month   Things to consider before installing Underfloor Heating The location of your home may determine which system you use and how much heating is required. Houses in colder parts of New Zealand require more heating. Natural gas is not available in the South Island. The energy source available to you will impact installation and running costs. While there are many different fuel source available to provide the heat, they all have different running costs, some cheaper than others. In most cases, investing in an efficient system will save you money on running costs in the long run. Installing a cheaper system may save on installation costs, but you may end up spending more on running costs in the long run. The way your home has been designed also impacts you household heating requirements. The heat loss of a home in any given location is affected by insulation, amount of glazing, size of windows, lack of curtains, height of ceiling and the complexity of the build. Your lifestyle will also have an impact on how much you spend on heating your home. The amount of energy used for heating is highly dependent on temperature preference and operating hours. You can also install a split system, where you have a mix of underfloor heating and radiators. It’s very important to make a decision and involve your heating specialists early on in your build. The underfloor heating will be some the first things done during the build and need to be right from the start. Contact us today for a consultation about your options for underfloor heating and installation costs.

Rinnai Gas Fires VS Others If it’s time to consider upgrading the heating in your home, you’ll know there are endless options to look at and consider carefully. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, and ultimately your decision is based on your heating needs and what you’re looking for when it comes to heating your home. Rinnai New Zealand provides an extensive range of high-efficiency rinnai gas fires. They provide constant and reliable heat while being more efficient than electric heating systems. It also eliminates the need for using sparks and firewood. Heat pumps are the current favourite for Kiwis all over New Zealand, they have low running costs (when used properly), produce instant heat and the convenience of having a thermostat at your fingertips. Other heating options for your home include wood burners, wood pellet burners, electric heaters and unflued gas heaters (LPG). There are several factors outlined below that need to be considered in order to reach a decision around which option is best for your home and heating needs. Design If design is important to you, a Rinnai Gas fire is far superior to the other options on the market. Heat pumps have a unit inside mounted on the wall and a unit outside and can be an eyesore in your living room. rinnai gas fire aucklandRinnai gas fireplace in living roomRinnai currently has three collections of gas inset fires that are suited to different needs and design preferences. The Linear collection was inspired by Aotearoa’s unique landscapes. Using hand-selected driftwood washed up on the Wild West Coast Beaches and stones to match those shaped by our rivers and landscapes, they recreated perfectly lifelike ceramics with flames captured in frameless glass. Rinnai’s engineers have reinvented gas fires to produce a product with even more lifelike looking fires. The Landscape Series offers the latest designs with high energy efficiency and heat output. The Compact Series says it all in the name, this series is designed to fit into smaller spaces and can be retrofitted to existing fireplaces. All fireplaces supplied by Rinnai provide heat with ambience and enhance the mood of any room for every occasion. Features While gas fires and heat pumps switch on and off at the click of a button and can be controlled using WiFi and can heat the room almost instantly. Both also have a timer feature where you can set a time to turn the heater on remotely. Wood burners take some time to heat a room up and do not have a function to turn on remotely. Some gas fires in Rinnai’s collection also have a Symmetry Heat Transfer system, this allows you to heat two additional rooms using a heat transfer system via a floor vent or ceiling outlet. All gas fires in Rinnai’s range have an overheat safety feature to ensure your safety and comfort at all times. Energy efficiency The Rinnai gas fire range is efficient heaters with a star rating between 4.1 to 5.7, this is constant across all the gas fires and takes the guesswork out of choosing models that are more energy-efficient. The star rating is a quick visual reference that represents the annual energy consumption. The energy efficiency of heat pumps varies a lot more depending on the brand, model and size and can be anywhere between 1.5 and 6 stars. It is important to note the energy efficiency for heat pumps are dependent on the size of the unit and the heat output. Heat output Rinnai’s gas fire range has great designs without compromising on heat output. The range has a maximum heat output of 5kW to 8.1kW. Heat pump heat output varies a lot more and can range from 1.5kW to upwards of 10kW. When comparing heat output, it is also important to consider how energy efficient the unit is, as these two go hand in hand to determine the cost of running the heater. Gas, especially natural gas in New Zealand, is far superior when it comes to energy efficiency and heat output. Comfort Research from Newport Partners has proved that people feel more comfortable with gas fires when compared to heat pumps. This has a lot to do with how the unit heats the air. Gas fires produce heat by burning gas and can heat a cold home up a lot faster using a steady supply of warm air. Whereas heat pump research shows that heat pumps only make people feel comfortable 40% of the time. Outdoor Temperature The outdoor temperature has an impact on how heat pumps heat the air. Heat pumps draw heat from the air outside if temperatures fall there is less heat to transfer into the unit and the airflow temperature will drop. Some heat pumps will then turn to electric resistance heating to provide heat. This uses more power and is a more costly way of heating your home. Outside temperatures have no effect on the gas fires and their heat output, in this respect, the gas fires are more superior to heat pumps. Price Comparison Gas fireplace typically cost far less to maintain and also have a longer life span too. Heat pumps require regular maintenance to ensure they keep running efficiently. This includes having the heat pump serviced every year to two years, depending on the use. It is also recommended that the heat pump filters are cleaned and vacuumed in between services, and the area around the outdoor unit is kept clear of leaves and debris. Heat pumps also require periodic maintenance, including re-gassing the system. This can be costly and time-consuming. Rinnai New Zealand recommends their gas fires are maintained every 2 years. The service technician will inspect various parts to ensure they are working correctly, this ensures the gas fire continues to work efficiently. Deciding whether or not to buy a gas fire is a big decision, especially when considering all the options. However, gas fires are superior to the other options on the market. Rinnai New

There are some interesting things that are unique to New Zealand – the Pohutukawa tree, the haka, pineapple lumps, our fascination with jumping off bridges secured only by cord tied around our ankles. But one thing identifies us as Kiwis from an early age – our habit of kicking off our shoes and going barefoot whenever and wherever possible. So, we know how luxurious it is to walk into a room with underfloor heating. Someone described it to us as “a nice warm little hug for my feet when I’m getting ready or making my morning coffee”. We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. But all too often people think heated flooring is expensive or extravagant and don’t consider it as an option when they’re building or renovating. At Regency Plumbing, we encourage customers to consider it when looking at ways to heat a house in Auckland. What exactly is underfloor heating? Underfloor Heating AucklandThere are two main types of underfloor heating, and they both work by generating heat (by either water or electricity) through a system that lies beneath the flooring to distribute heat to the room. The emphasis here is on the use of underfloor heating to heat a room, not just the floor. It’s not just a treat for your feet – it’s actually an efficient way to heat a room from the bottom up. The added benefit is that as you walk on it or sit with your feet resting on a heated floor, you instantly start to warm up and stay warm. (If you’ve ever been in a snowy climate, you know that your body never fully heats up until your feet warm up.) “Wet” or hot water based underfloor heating The technical name for this system is a hydronic radiant floor heating system. Simply put, this type of underfloor heating involves a warm supply of water heated by a gas boiler or heat pump which is then circulated by a small pump through plastic pipes installed within the concrete slab. The pipes, embedded in the floor, carry heated water that conducts warmth to the surface of the floor where it then pushes heat energy to the room above. It is a brilliant system which gives even heat across the entire house. The wider an area where it’s used, the wider the area heated (unlike space heaters or oil column heaters that will generally only heat a space area around the heater itself). “Dry” or electric underfloor heating Using electricity, wires or heating cables installed beneath the flooring heat up, warming the floor and the room. This method of floor heating, while cheaper to install, can be considerably more expensive to run as it uses electricity rather than the option of using gas to heat the water in a wet or pipe system. Regency Plumbing are qualified experts in installing water based underfloor heating, and provide this information on electric systems as a point of reference and comparison. With our experience in Auckland home renovations over the past 20 years, we’ve seen enough flooring and heating projects to be able to give you great advice in this area. Is underfloor heating for existing homes or only for new builds? The amount of work involved in retro fitting underfloor heating into an existing house depends on the existing flooring, but it is possible. We’ll get builders involved who will remove the existing flooring and together we’ll put down new surface layers and the pipes before your new flooring surface is installed. If you’re taking on other building works or renovations, it’s definitely worth looking into underfloor heating. If you’re building a new home with a concrete slab, underfloor heating is the way to go. It is important to plan for it ahead of time, though, as it’s fitted into the slab early on. And yes, underflooring heating definitely can be used if you have timber flooring. In fact, timber safely conducts and holds the heat produced, and radiates the warmth into the room. It has both an aesthetic and practical effect. Can underfloor heating be used in any room? If you are building a new home, we highly recommend installing underfloor heating in every room. In many cases it can be more cost-effective than having multiple heating systems throughout the house. It creates a gentle and even distribution of heat throughout your home, and can be moderated by the use of temperature controls, and zone timers, allowing you to set different rooms to turn on at different times. If you need advice about underfloor heating, we’d be delighted to help you. One thing for sure is you will never be disappointed with underfloor heating.  

Gas Fireplace Installation Cost Gas fireplaces are a sophisticated and energy-efficient way to heat a room in your home. Gas Fireplaces are easier to install than wood-burning options, cost less to run and are significantly easier to maintain. This makes a gas fireplace an excellent option for homeowners who would like to retrofit a fireplace into a room that doesn’t currently have one. Gas fireplaces are becoming increasingly popular due to their many positive features and advantages, they also have a few disadvantages. Both need to be considered carefully before making your decision. The advantages include a wide range of finish options and a fireplace to suit every room; they produce real flames; they are low maintenance; they are energy efficient; and are easy to install and no chimney is needed. The disadvantages include the glass doors becoming very hot; a carbon monoxide risk with gas; it does not sound or smell like a wood fire, and some models may deplete oxygen. There are several factors that influence the cost of installation listed here, they need to be considered carefully. Saving on the cost of installation means you might be able to buy a better unit. Finishes There are many options for finishes to your fireplace, these will affect the cost of the unit and price of installation. The surround is what makes the fireplace part of the room, options include tile, brick, wood and stone. Ventilation Gas fireplaces also come with two different ventilation options, these will also affect the cost of the unit and installation. The first type is a direct-vent fireplace, which requires that the fireplace is located on an outside wall to allow for a chimney. This allows the byproducts of burning gas to exit naturally, and fresh air is brought in with very little risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Ventless models can be installed anywhere, as they do not have a chimney to vent outside. This model can deplete the room of oxygen but has a safety function to turn the fire off if this happens. Gas supply A gas line installation may be an additional cost if you do not have an existing connection to the house and do not currently use gas for cooking or heating water. When it comes to running costs for the fireplace, LPG is more expensive than natural gas. Labour The specialised work involved in installation means labour to install a gas fireplace will be high, it requires a gas fitter, electrician or builder (depending on the installation). The ventilation of the gas fireplace will also determine the cost of labour as the direct-vent option requires a chimney installation. Maintenance The maintenance requirements also determine the ongoing running costs of a gas fireplace. Other than minimal inspections and cleaning, no major maintenance is required. This keeps the running costs of a gas fire low and limited to gas usage. It’s important to settle on your budget prior to installing a gas fireplace, taking great care to consider the factors listed here carefully. Look for a retailer who can project manage the entire build from purchase to installation, this will save you time and money. If you have a tight budget, buy the best fire you can and compromise on the installation, a high-quality fireplace will last a lot longer and save you money long term. You can always change or add finished down the line as money becomes available. Gas fires have come a long way, they now support more features such as versatile installation options; intelligent smartphone control; high performance with ambience and sophistication; and energy-efficient. Some retailers who provide a project management service offer design consultancy services such as colour and finishes consults; furniture sourcing and design; soft furnishings; and window treatments. These services allow you to save money and blend the gas fireplace into your existing room seamlessly. Regency Plumbing has decades of experience installing Rinnai Gas fireplaces and we recommend the Rinnai Evolve 952. It can be installed in almost any room and can heat rooms up to 125 square metres. It’s operated via remote control and has a heat output of 2.4kW – 8.1kW. It has a staggering energy efficiency rating of 86% which makes it’s running costs anywhere from $0.46 – $1.57 per hour for LPG, or $0.36 – $1.21 per hour for natural gas. Regency plumbing is currently offering to install the Rinnai Evolve 952 for just $8,687 which includes the gas fire, fascia, direct flue kit and all the gasfitting and electrical work. Get in touch with us to take advantage of this amazing offer.

Gas fires are becoming increasingly popular in New Zealand and it’s easy to see why. They provide an energy efficient way to heat your home that looks great. The latest technology in gas fire research and development means the latest models on the market are highly efficient and there is a model to suit every home, style and budget. With that in mind, here is everything you need to know about gas fires. Types of gas fires There are several different types of gas fires suited to different homes and heating requirements. Freestanding gas fires are easy to install and suit homes where you have limited space for your fire. The flue is exposed and installed through your roof. Insert fires are a great solution if your home has an existing fireplace you’d like to replace. The new gas fire insert slides into the space and the new flue system will be added. This type of installation will keep your upfront costs lower, especially if you use the original surround. Inbuilt gas fires are very ambitious. You build a surround around the fire, this encloses the fireplace and the flue. These are wide, sleek and frameless and suit any style home. Gas fireplace flueing The type of flue will determine where a gas fire can be installed. Natural draft systems are often referred to as a standard flue system. This type of flue draws the air for combustion from the room and expels combusted gases to the outside via a vertical flue. There is a requirement for adequate ventilation in the room with this system as the air for combustion is drawn from the room, it needs to be replenished. This type of flue must terminate vertically though the roof. Power flue systems have a sealed combustion chamber with a fan that draws air for combustion from the outside, through the outer flue and expels combusted gases to the outside through the inner flue. This system does not take oxygen or heated air from the room for combustion. The flues are smaller in size and can terminate vertically or horizontally. That means this type of gas fire can be installed in almost any living or working space, including bedrooms. These fires maintain the air quality for a healthy breathing environment. Direct vent flue systems, like the power flue, also has a sealed combustion chamber, but uses natural draft to draw air from the outside and expel combustion gases to the outside. These units have a larger flue as it uses natural drafts to move air and gases. This system also maintains the air quality and can terminate vertically or horizontally. Gas Fireplace Heat Output The bigger the fireplace, the more heat gets produced. You want to find the right size gas fireplace to heat up your space, which means the right kWs for your space. As a guide, you will need roughly 1kW of heat per 10 square metres. This equation works well for a new home, but not so well for an old drafty villa with high ceilings. Layout is another factor that needs to be considered, if your dining room is next to your living room a great option would be a double-sided fireplace. Not only does this configuration look great, but it also splits the heat between the two spaces. Gas Fire Efficiency People think gas fires come with a high running cost, but this is one of the biggest misconceptions about gas fires. Contrary to popular belief, gas (especially natural gas) is one of the cheapest forms of energy available. You will need an energy efficient model to go with it. Make sure you look out for the star rating of the gas fireplace, the more stars, the more energy efficient the appliance. Glass fronted gas fires are also more efficient because the unit is sealed and warm air from the room can’t escape back up the chimney. An efficient flue system such as the direct vent flue or the power flue will also make the unit a lot more efficient. Choosing the right gas fire The following factors all play a very important role in choosing the right gas fire for your home: Geographical location: Where you live in New Zealand determines the size of the warm zone your gas fire makes. In the colder areas that zone is a lot smaller than the warmer areas and the air temperature will be colder Room size will determine the size of your gas fire, as the heating area will need to cover the whole room Heat loss factors include: No ceiling or wall insulation; no carpets on the floors; no curtains; window area >15sqm; ceiling height >2.4m; and building on poles or piles. Functionality vs. aesthetics is something else that needs to be considered. The size and look of the gas fire and where it is likely to be installed Location of where the gas fire will be installed is important as each gas fire will have a clearance and suitability requirements to be considered.   Advantages No need to buy, chop or store firewood Energy savings No cleaning Easy to operate Warmer Stylish Excellent range of safety features   Disadvantages The cost of installing a gas fireplace may be higher than other heating options You will need a gas connection, if you do not use one already this may be added costs to an already expensive installation   If you’re interested in installing a gas fireplace or you’d like a bit more information, give us a call on 0800 758 623. We can discuss your options with you and offer a range of suitable options for installation get in touch with us today. We can also give you advice in which manufacturers and models are more efficient and suitable for your family home.