How to Heat a Winter Garden?

Winter gardens are a long-known solution that has recently been gaining popularity again. They usually take the form of a glass extension to the house, serving as a terrace on cooler days. It is an excellent place to relax, which can also serve as a greenhouse for plants that require access to sunlight and appropriate temperature. But how can you ensure heating for the winter garden? In this article, we present the most effective methods.

Heating Winter Gardens – Why Is It Worth It?

The history of winter gardens, formerly known as orangeries, dates back to the 17th century. Initially, these types of buildings or extensions were used solely for cultivating exotic plants, including citrus fruits, from which they derived their original name. They were positioned on the south side to allow sunlight to properly illuminate and heat the interior through large windows and glass ceilings. Over time, they also gained a recreational function, providing a semblance of spending leisure time in nature when the weather does not permit it. However, to feel fully comfortable there and to provide suitable conditions for plants, it is necessary to maintain an appropriate temperature. Of course, during a cloudless day, the rays passing through numerous panes provide high temperatures. However, after sunset, the temperature can drop sharply, even below zero, depending on the external conditions. Although this also depends on the construction, the difference between the orangery and the surrounding space is usually only five degrees Celsius. Therefore, if we want to have a fully functional winter garden, heating it additionally will be unavoidable.

How Much Does It Cost to Heat a Winter Garden?

Here, however, a certain problem arises, as heat loss through glass is about four times higher compared to insulated walls and roofs. Moreover, a typical winter garden consists almost entirely of glass. However, we do not need to maintain a room temperature there. For many plants, optimal conditions are around a dozen degrees Celsius. The extension can be heated a bit more only during the time when one intends to relax there. Small convector heaters and heating films or mats are suitable for heating winter gardens. However, the former must be properly installed – along the base of the glass walls. This way, they will prevent the panes from fogging and reduce the infiltration of cold air from the glass into the room. On the other hand, underfloor heating will work mainly when we want to heat the orangery during use. Regardless of the chosen solution, heating costs will be higher than in the interior of the building. On the other hand, such an extension reduces heat loss from the building.

How to Heat a Winter Garden Without Overpaying?

The choice of heating method is undoubtedly crucial here. It is necessary to select an installation that will maintain the appropriate temperature at the lowest possible cost. We encourage you to check the offer from Termofol, which includes effective and inexpensive heating systems. However, when it comes to the winter garden, heating is only half the success. Even at the construction stage of such a structure, it is worth considering solutions that will help reduce heat loss.

Check out our convector heaters.