A Beginner's Guide to Home Heating in Australia

If you've recently moved to Australia, bought your first home, or simply never had to think about heating before, the world of home heaters can seem overwhelming. With dozens of heater types, countless brands, and confusing technical specifications, where do you even begin?

This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about home heating in Australia, from understanding different heater types to choosing the right one for your needs and using it safely and efficiently.

Understanding Australian Heating Needs

Australia's climate varies dramatically from state to state. While Queensland homeowners might only need heating for a few weeks each year, residents of Victoria, Tasmania, and the ACT face genuinely cold winters that demand serious heating solutions.

Even within states, heating needs differ. A coastal Sydney apartment has very different requirements than a home in the Blue Mountains. Understanding your local climate and your home's characteristics is the first step to choosing the right heating solution.

Types of Heaters Explained

Let's demystify the main types of heaters available in Australia and explore what makes each one unique.

Panel Heaters

Panel heaters are slim, wall-mountable units that work through convection—heating air that rises and circulates through the room. They're excellent for bedrooms and home offices where silent operation is valued.

Best for: Bedrooms, offices, and spaces where you want consistent background heat. They're unobtrusive and can be left on for extended periods.

Considerations: They take longer to heat a room than fan heaters and are most effective in well-insulated spaces.

Oil Column Heaters

These portable heaters contain thermal oil that's heated by an electric element. The oil retains heat well, continuing to warm the room even after the element turns off. They're the traditional choice for living rooms and provide a gentle, radiant warmth.

Best for: Living areas, bedrooms, and anywhere you want sustained warmth. Excellent for overnight use.

Considerations: They take time to warm up (15-30 minutes) and can be heavy to move. Higher wattage units are needed for larger rooms.

Fan Heaters

Fan heaters use a heating element combined with a fan to quickly blow warm air into a room. They're the fastest way to heat a space but consume more power during operation.

Best for: Bathrooms, quick heating of small spaces, and situations where you need warmth immediately.

Considerations: They produce noise, dry out the air, and stop warming the room the moment they're turned off. Less suitable for overnight use.

Ceramic Heaters

A variation of fan heaters, ceramic heaters use ceramic plates as the heating element. They heat up faster and are generally safer, as the ceramic surface doesn't get as hot as traditional metal elements.

Best for: Similar applications to fan heaters, but with improved safety features for homes with children or pets.

Infrared Heaters

Infrared heaters emit radiant heat that warms objects and people directly, rather than heating the air. They provide instant warmth and are ideal for outdoor areas or spaces with poor insulation.

Best for: Patios, garages, bathrooms, and outdoor entertaining areas. They work well in drafty or poorly insulated spaces.

Considerations: They only warm what's in their direct line of sight. Moving out of range means moving out of the warmth.

How to Choose the Right Heater

With an understanding of heater types, let's work through how to choose the right one for your situation.

Step 1: Measure Your Room

Room size is the most important factor in choosing a heater. Measure your room's length and width, then multiply them together to get the floor area in square metres.

As a general rule, you need approximately 100 watts per square metre of floor space. A 15m² bedroom needs about 1500W of heating capacity, while a 25m² living room requires around 2500W.

Step 2: Consider Ceiling Height and Insulation

The 100W per square metre rule assumes standard 2.4m ceilings and reasonable insulation. If your ceilings are higher, or your home is older with poor insulation, you may need additional heating capacity.

Step 3: Think About Usage Patterns

How will you use the heater? Consider these questions:

• Will you need heat quickly, or is gradual warming acceptable?
• Will the heater run overnight while you sleep?
• Do you need to move the heater between rooms?
• Is silent operation important for bedrooms or offices?
• Do you have children or pets who might touch the heater?

Step 4: Set a Budget

Heater prices vary enormously, from $30 for basic fan heaters to $1000+ for premium panel heaters with smart features. However, cheaper heaters often cost more to run. Consider both the purchase price and ongoing running costs when budgeting.

Essential Features to Look For

When shopping for a heater, prioritise these features:

Safety Features

• Tip-over switch: Automatically turns off if the heater falls over
• Overheat protection: Shuts down if internal temperature gets too high
• Cool-touch exterior: Reduces burn risk from accidental contact

Efficiency Features

• Thermostat: Maintains consistent temperature and saves energy
• Timer: Allows you to schedule heating times
• Eco mode: Reduces power consumption while maintaining comfort
• Multiple heat settings: Lets you adjust output to match conditions

Convenience Features

• Remote control: Adjust settings without getting up
• Wheels or handles: Makes moving portable heaters easier
• Smart home compatibility: Control via smartphone apps

Setting Up Your Heater

Once you've purchased your heater, proper setup ensures safe and efficient operation.

Placement Guidelines

• Place the heater on a flat, stable surface
• Maintain at least one metre clearance from curtains, furniture, and bedding
• Position away from foot traffic to prevent tripping or tip-overs
• Ensure the heater has adequate ventilation on all sides
• Keep away from water sources in bathrooms (unless rated for bathroom use)

Electrical Considerations

• Plug directly into a wall outlet, never into power boards or extension cords
• Ensure the outlet and wiring can handle the heater's power requirements
• Don't plug other high-power appliances into the same outlet

Using Your Heater Efficiently

Getting the most from your heater involves more than just turning it on. These strategies maximise warmth while minimising costs:

• Set your thermostat to 18-20°C rather than higher temperatures
• Close doors to the room you're heating
• Use curtains to insulate windows, opening them for sun during the day
• Dress warmly to reduce heating needs
• Use timers to avoid heating empty rooms

Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

New heater owners often make these mistakes. Learn from others' experience:

• Buying the wrong size: Too small won't heat properly; too large wastes energy
• Ignoring running costs: The cheapest heater to buy is often the most expensive to run
• Using extension cords: This is a significant fire hazard
• Blocking vents: Heaters need airflow to work safely and efficiently
• Setting temperatures too high: 20°C feels comfortable; 25°C wastes money
• Heating unused rooms: Focus heat where you spend time

When to Seek Professional Help

While most portable heaters are simple to use, some situations require professional assistance:

• Installing fixed or wall-mounted heaters (requires an electrician)
• Setting up gas heaters (requires a licensed gas fitter)
• If you notice burning smells, sparks, or unusual sounds from your heater
• If circuit breakers trip repeatedly when using a heater
• For annual servicing of gas heating systems

Your First Winter: What to Expect

As you settle into your first winter with proper heating, you'll quickly develop preferences and routines. You might find that the oil column heater you bought for the living room becomes your favourite for its quiet, steady warmth. Or perhaps you'll appreciate the quick heat of a fan heater for those cold morning bathroom visits.

Don't be afraid to experiment with settings, placement, and timing. Finding the perfect heating setup for your home is a process, and small adjustments can make a big difference to both comfort and costs.