Temperature Control Options

Heating

Option	Advantage	Disadvantage	Environmental Impact
Electrical under floor heating	cheaper to install if put in during construction simple	expensive to run installed before floor laid	COP = 1
Electrical heater	cheap not always present storable	heats 1 point uneven heat distribution aesthetically unappealing poor safety not very powerful so takes longer to warm room inconvenience of hauling in and out of storage	COP = 1
Solar power	no electricity consumption no carbon footprint	large complicated setup (needs water pipes under floor, buffer tanks, solar panels, pumps and control systems) expensive initial cost maintenance power still needed for pumps and controllers	COP = +-10
Gas Heater	no electrical point required portable	gas fireplace heats 1 point gas is more expensive than electricity per kWh of energy dangerous often wasteful – prone to small gas leaks	COP = 1 low carbon footprint
Air conditioning	good efficiency all year round comfort – heating and cooling only inconvenience is once off installation and then easily accessed and remote controlled aesthetically appealing options	expensive installation and purchase cost permanent visible fixture maintenance	COP = 2.4 – 4.2 very low carbon footprint

Option	Advantage	Disadvantage	Environmental Impact
Ceiling fan	lower purchase cost limited power consumption	noisy circulates instead of actually cooling air seasonal relevance – i.e. “cooling” only, no heating function not very powerful	low impact
Natural ventilation	no power consumption expensive house design	not reliable insects and pests enter the room inconsistent: dependent on outside air	none
Evaporative cooling (i.e. portables	low power consumption lower purchase cost	can only cool air by a couple of degrees uses water only electrical heating no individual zone control ugly and cumbersome uses water – need exposed pipe to run to outside	low impact
Air conditioning	consistent performance accurate temperature control individual control not dependent on outdoor conditions can be fitted after building aesthetic choices options that offer improved air quality	expensive installation and purchase cost permanent visible fixture maintenance uses electricity most effective and efficient way to heat or cool a room	COP = 4.2 – 2.4