How to Heat & Cool Your Extension Year-Round

An orangery is a beautiful and valuable addition to any home, offering a seamless blend of indoor comfort and outdoor views. However, to truly enjoy your orangery year-round, effective heating and cooling solutions are essential. At Farrow & Jones, we understand the importance of creating a space that’s comfortable, energy-efficient, and perfectly suited to your lifestyle. This guide will explore how to achieve optimal temperature control in your orangery, ensuring it remains a usable and delightful space no matter the season.

What are the Best Heating Options for Orangeries?

When it comes to heating an orangery, the goal is efficiency and consistent warmth without detracting from the aesthetic. Given the unique structure of an orangery, which typically features more solid roof and brickwork than a traditional conservatory, various orangery heating solutions can be highly effective.

• Underfloor Heating: This is often the most popular and discreet choice. Underfloor heating provides an even distribution of warmth across the entire space, eliminating cold spots and drafts. It’s an energy efficient orangery solution that works by radiating heat upwards from the floor, creating a comfortable ambient temperature. It’s particularly effective as it operates at a lower temperature than traditional radiators, making it more cost-effective in the long run.
• Air Conditioning Units (with Heating Function): Modern air conditioning units often come with a reverse cycle feature, allowing them to provide both cooling in summer and heating in winter. These systems offer quick temperature adjustments and can be a good option for rapid heating, especially in smaller orangeries.
• Electric Radiators/Convector Heaters: While less aesthetically integrated than underfloor heating, contemporary electric radiators can provide supplementary heat. Look for models with thermostats and timers for better control and efficiency.
• Traditional Radiators: If designing a new orangery, traditional radiators can be incorporated, but their placement needs careful consideration to ensure they don’t block light or views.
  
  

How to Keep Your Orangery Cool in Summer?

Preventing overheating is crucial for cooling an orangery and ensuring its year-round orangery use. The sun’s intensity can quickly turn your beautiful extension into an uncomfortably warm space without proper planning.

• Ventilation: Good ventilation is paramount. This can be achieved through roof vents (often integrated into the roof lantern), strategically placed windows, and even bi-folding or sliding doors that open up fully to the garden. Automated ventilation systems can be controlled by thermostats, opening and closing based on the internal temperature.
• Solar Control Glazing: This leads us to our next point, but specialised glass can significantly reduce solar gain.
• Blinds and Shading: Internal or external blinds, particularly those with reflective properties, can effectively block out direct sunlight and prevent heat build-up. Automated blind systems offer convenience and can be programmed to respond to sunlight levels.

Air Conditioning: As mentioned for heating, a good air conditioning system is invaluable for maintaining a comfortable cool temperature during hot summer months.