The easiest way to heat a conservatory or garden room in winter is to heat it directly and only when you are in it: use an electric heater with an adjustable temperature, keep the door to the living room closed, and use good curtains or insulation for the glass. Because glass lets out a lot of heat, it is difficult to keep a conservatory warm all day. Short, targeted heating works better than continuous heating.
Why is a conservatory so difficult to keep warm in winter?
A conservatory consists largely of glass, and glass provides much less insulation than an insulated brick wall. During the day, the winter sun can still warm the room considerably, but as soon as the sun goes down, the temperature drops quickly. Often, there is no radiator or only a small one connected, because the conservatory was added to the house later. As it gets colder according to the KNMI forecast, with a chance of light frost at night, you will notice the difference immediately.
A cold conservatory also attracts moisture. Warm, humid air from the living room condenses on the cold glass and window frames. So if you heat the conservatory, you must also think about ventilation.
What are the ways to heat a conservatory or garden room?
There is no single best solution; it depends on how often you use the room. If you use the conservatory daily as a living space, a permanent connection to the central heating or a heat pump is usually more logical in the long term. If you use it occasionally, for example at the weekend or in the evening to read, a portable electric heater is practical.
| Option | Suitable for | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radiator on the central heating | Daily use | Even heat | Installation costs time and money, heat escapes through the glass |
| Electric heater with thermostat | Occasionally, for a few hours | Heats up quickly, portable, no installation | Running costs increase with prolonged use |
| Infrared panel | Fixed seating area | Heats people and surfaces directly | Installation required, less flexible |
| Blankets, curtains and a rug | Any conservatory | Cheap, less heat loss | Does not heat itself |
Be honest about the costs: Milieu Centraal states that an electric fan heater is not an energy-efficient measure if you want to use it to heat your home. For a room you only use for a few hours, it is different: then you are only heating that one room and only when it is necessary. How that trade-off works out can be read in whether an electric heater is more economical than central heating.
How much does it cost to heat a conservatory electrically?
You calculate the consumption by multiplying power by time. A heater that runs at 1800 watts for one hour uses 1.8 kWh. At an assumed electricity price of 25 cents per kWh, that is approximately 45 cents per hour. At 900 watts, that is approximately half. If you use your own rate, you fill in that amount instead of 25 cents.
In practice, a heater with a thermostat does not run at full power all the time. Milieu Centraal explains that a heater with a thermostat uses lower power or switches off when the room has reached the desired temperature, while a heater without a thermostat continues to work at full power. In a conservatory, where heat escapes quickly, the heater will kick in more often than in a well-insulated room. How large the space is that a heater can handle can be read in how many m² an electric heater heats.
Heating a conservatory: tips for less heat loss and moisture
Keep the door between the conservatory and the living room closed when you heat the conservatory, so that you do not heat the whole house or let cold air in. Thick curtains or roller blinds in front of the glass help prevent heat loss in the evening. A rug makes a cold tiled floor much more pleasant. Place the heater on a flat, stable surface and keep it away from curtains, cushions and plants; what to pay attention to can be read in how far to place an electric heater from curtains and furniture.
Plug the heater directly into the socket. The fire department advises to connect electric heaters directly to a socket and not to a cable reel or extension cord. Only use the heater in a dry conservatory: if there is water on the floor or the roof leaks, an electric device is not a good idea there. Ventilate briefly after use, so that moisture does not remain on the cold glass.
The Aerva HT18C electric heater
The Aerva HT18C is a compact ceramic heater that you can easily take to the conservatory and put back when you do not need it.
Power: maximum 1800W, with two heat settings of 900W and 1800W and a ventilation setting without heating
Heating: ceramic PTC heating
Temperature: six settings: 10, 15, 20, 23, 27 and 30 °C
Heat distribution: oscillating function
Operation: digital touchscreen, timer up to 9 hours, dimmable display (100%, 50%, 25% or off)
Safety: overheating protection and tip-over protection
Size: approx. 23 × 18 × 13 cm, 1.5 kg, cable length 1.5 meters
Direct answer: heat a conservatory directly and only when you are in it, with an electric heater with an adjustable temperature, the door closed and curtains in front of the glass. For daily use, a permanent heating solution is often more advantageous in the long term.
Do you want to use your conservatory or garden room comfortably this winter? Check out the Aerva HT18C electric heater or all heaters from Dynter.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use an electric heater in a conservatory?
Yes, as long as the conservatory is dry, the heater stands stably and has sufficient distance to flammable materials. Plug it directly into a socket and do not let it run unattended.
How warm does a conservatory get with an electric heater?
That depends on the size of the conservatory, the type of glass and the outside temperature. In a poorly insulated conservatory, heat escapes quickly, so do not expect living room temperature during frost.
How much does an electric heater cost per hour in a conservatory?
At 1800 watts, a heater uses 1.8 kWh per hour. At an assumed price of 25 cents per kWh, that is approximately 45 cents per hour; with a thermostat, it is often less on average.
Do you need to heat a conservatory in winter?
Not necessarily. If you do not use it, keep the door to the house closed and ventilate occasionally, so that no moisture remains on the glass.
Is an infrared panel better for a conservatory?
For a fixed seating area, an infrared panel can be pleasant because it heats directly. For occasional use, a portable heater is more flexible.