Are you ready for winter? Tips and Tricks for a beautiful home in New Engand.
My usual checklist for warming the home for winter includes:
Wool Rugs
Thermal window coverings (can be in fabric treatments like roman shades, draperies).
Updated doors, windows
HEATING system updates-this one actually pays for itself over time.
One of the biggest challenges I have as an interior designer in Maine is navigating various heating systems. From antique radiators, to poorly designed huge baseboard heaters, heat pumps, fireplaces, wood stoves and central air/heat-heating systems actually determine the parameters of my design far too often. I have to pay attention to these details before we create furniture layouts, window coverings, and it can be quite the limiting factor in renovations if I cannot move things around!
And that is just the functional aspect of it-don’t get me started on the aesthetics. I can draw the eye up with art, woven wood shades, wallpaper, etc but the reality is if the heating system is updated or upgraded, we have so many more options when designing the space. So I was happy to discover Runtal, they manufacture high quality hydronic, electric and steam radiators in the USA.
6 years ago I was introduced to Runtal radiators by a client, actually, who was renovating a bathroom. They are made of heavy steel, in the US, not the flimsy things from big box stores. They have been on my radar ever since.
A Runtal system also operates quietly, minimizing the annoying pinging and popping that one hears if you are in many homes with forced hot water for heating systems. I highly recommend suggesting these to builders from the first meeting because a cozy, quiet room in winter is lovely. For renovating, it is so easy to pop in an electric system (more on this later). When I moved from the west coast to Maine, I had to get used to the popping sounds of old heating systems.
Interior Design: Elza B. Design Photography: Eric Roth
I’m inspired by this photo I found on houzz.com posted by morse construction. I work with bay windows in historic homes so often and window treatments are often a struggle. I love how clean this look is.
What you cannot see is how much healthier this is for the homeowner. The radiators do not rely on air flow as a primary means of reaching comfort. As a result, they do not promote the spread of indoor airborne particulate (dust, mites, pet dander, allergens) such as traditional convection baseboard. Pet owners and allergy suffers-take note!
I am really into these wall panels. Runtal-if you are reading this, feel free to send me some so I can free up more floor space in my 7 year old daughters room! We have discovered Barbie dream houses and need our space.
Freeing up wall space allows for better furniture layouts and day to day living. Runtal offers 9 colors standard but so many more custom options. Stocked in white, these are powder coated steel.
This is another great example of when a wall unit can really change a room. In this application it makes much more sense than baseboard heaters. They can be electric or how water systems.
In New England we are so often limited by baseboard heaters, and this island idea is genius. Talk to your builder for new construction for hydronic systems-but all 3 types are great for renovations!
My home (and many other kitchens I have worked on) have baseboard heaters on half the walls. It is the fast, cheap way to build, which is why I get called to design a renovation so often. While you can design cabinets over them and vent through the toe kick-it is rarely efficient. (BTW when you hear me use the word efficient, I am also referring to conserving $). Applying heat to the island this way allows for more cabinets along the perimeter. I LOVE IT. Give me all the storage!
For those of you technical types, here is some more info on how the electric systems work:
100% of the electric energy used is converted into heat. Traditional baseboard products utilize lightweight construction which does not hold heat. As a result, when the room temperature is reached, they turn off and stop transmitting warmth into space whereas Runtal Electric products “store heat” because of the heavy steel construction which continues to radiate heat well after the room temperature has been satisfied. As a result, Runtal Electric Baseboard and Wall Panels do not have to continue to cycle on and off like a traditional electric baseboard product would do.
Compared to standard electric baseboard, Runtal products will generally require the same amount of electricity to operate, however based on the heavy steel construction and the radiant effect which Runtal Electric Baseboard and Wall Panels provides, they will need to be energized (operate) less often for two reasons as shown below. In this regard, less operating time = less energy used to reach comfort. Once the Runtal Electric Baseboard heats up, the heavy steel body of the baseboard acts as a “heatsink”, storing heat. Runtal Electric Baseboard operates by using both radiant heat transfer, as well as convective heat transfer. The radiant effect (like standing in the sun) often means comfort levels are reached at lower air temperatures, and thus requires less energy to be comfortable than products which heat only the air in the space.
There is also a lot of great info on the steam/hydronic systems here
Lastly-bathrooms. I have 3 tips for warm bathrooms in the winter.
Radiant heat. This is a heating system under your tile and it is fabulous. However if your floor doesn’t have it and your tile is nice, don’t tear it up. Move on to my next two suggestions…
Toto toilet-yes you can have a heated seat too.
Towel warmers! Runtal makes towel warmers that are also heaters, of course.
Lovely bathroom from Montana Tile and Stone! They used a round tube towel warmer right next to the shower, perfect placement Also eyeing that beautiful vanity.
Beautiful, modern bathroom by Hulburd design. The whole project is stunning, check out their website here.
I hope this gives you some ideas for how to make the long winters here more pleasant. Check out Runtal Radiators for more info and show them to your contractor.
Come see us for rugs and window coverings this winter, we are unpacking our new studio in yarmouth and look forward to seeing you.