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The warmer months can make it easy to forget about your heating. Then autumn arrives, temperatures start to fall and suddenly you're reaching for the thermostat again.

Before that happens, it's worth checking whether your current heating is working properly, whether your controls still suit your routine and whether there are any colder areas in your home that need more attention.

From checking your heaters and looking for cold spots to reviewing your heating controls, a few simple checks now could make your home more comfortable when winter arrives.

Check Your Current Heating

The first step is to check that your current heating is working properly before you need to rely on it every day. 

Switch your heating on and check that your heaters are working properly, your thermostat responds as it should and your home reaches a comfortable temperature. Pay attention to areas that take longer to warm up or regularly feel colder than the rest of the house.

If you find that certain areas need more warmth, infrared panels can provide an option for adding heating where it's needed. They can be installed individually, so you can add warmth to specific areas without necessarily replacing your existing heating system. 

Look Out For Cold Spots

Some areas of your home may feel colder than others, particularly when the temperature outside starts to fall. Before deciding that your entire heating system needs changing, look at where the problem actually occurs.

A room that regularly feels chilly may simply need some additional heating, particularly if you've converted a space, changed how you use a room or have an area where your existing heating doesn't warm effectively.

Infrared panels can be useful for these colder areas because they warm people, furniture and surfaces directly. The size and shape of the space will help you work out how much heating you need and where the panels will work best.

For larger or awkwardly shaped spaces, more than one panel may be suitable. Our guide to choosing the right number of infrared panels can help you work out what your space may require.

Identifying where the colder areas are gives you a clearer idea of whether additional heating could help. 

Check Your Heating Controls

Once you've checked that your heating is working properly, take a look at how easy it is to control.

Your heating should fit around your routine, particularly as the colder months arrive and you're using it more often. Check that your thermostat is working correctly and that any existing schedules are still suitable for your day-to-day routine.

Modern heating controls can give you more flexibility, with options such as 7-day scheduling, temperature control, open window detection and Wi-Fi control, depending on the heater and thermostat you choose. Surya's range of heating controls includes options that allow you to set different temperatures and heating times throughout the week.

For example, a programmable thermostat can allow your heating to follow your usual routine rather than requiring you to adjust it manually throughout the day. Wi-Fi control can also let you make changes remotely when your plans change.

If you're adding or replacing heating, it's worth considering the control options at the same time. Choosing the right controls can make it easier to manage your heating and adjust it to suit your routine throughout the colder months. 

Think About How Your Home Loses Heat

Before choosing additional heating, it's worth considering how well the space holds onto heat.

Draughts around windows and doors, gaps and poor insulation can all affect how comfortable a room feels when temperatures drop. If a space loses heat quickly, you'll need to take this into account when deciding how much heating it requires.

The size of the room is an important factor when choosing an infrared panel, but it's not the only one. The level of insulation, the characteristics of the space and the amount of warmth you want can all affect which panel is suitable.

This is why choosing a panel based on room size alone isn't always enough. Our guide to choosing the right wattage explains the different factors to consider when working out which infrared panel is right for your space.

Taking these factors into account before buying can help you choose a panel that's better suited to your home and avoid finding out later that you need more heating than expected.

Does Your Home Need More Heating?

If certain areas of your home still feel cold, adding heating to those spaces could make a noticeable difference without changing your entire setup.

Perhaps there's a room that always feels colder than the rest of the house, you've added a new space or your existing heating doesn't warm an area as effectively as you'd like. Looking at the specific area can help you decide whether you need more heating and what type of solution would suit it.

Infrared panels can be added to individual areas, with wall and ceiling mounting options available across a number of Surya's models, depending on the panel. 

Surya's Classic IR Panels range from 180W to 1200W, with different wattages available to suit different heating requirements. 

Some NXT Gen models are just 22mm deep, providing a slimline option where you want your heating to sit discreetly within the space.

If you're regularly reaching for extra layers, turning the thermostat up or avoiding certain areas because they're too cold, it may be worth looking at whether your current heating is meeting the needs of the space. 

Be Ready For Colder Weather 

You don't have to wait until the first cold snap to find out whether your heating is doing enough.

Check that your current heating is working properly, identify any colder areas around your home and make sure your controls still suit your routine. If certain spaces continue to feel chilly, consider whether additional heating could make them more comfortable.

Taking care of these checks before temperatures drop gives you time to work out what your home needs and choose the right heating solution without making decisions in a rush.

Need a Hand?

Not sure which heating option would work best for your home?

Our team can help you find the right heating and controls for your setup. Get in touch with Surya Heating on 0116 321 4124  or email sales@suryaheating.co.uk, and we'll be happy to help. 

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