Did you know that when trees and plants “sweat”, they can cool themselves and cool the surrounding air? 

According to NASA’s Earth Science Study, trees and plants go through a process called transpiration. Water and nutrients are taken up by plant roots from soil and delivered to the stem and leaves as part of photosynthesis. Some of the water drawn up through the roots exits the plant through pores or stomata in its leaves, hence the sweating. As this “sweat” evaporates, heat is removed from the air, which provides a cooling effect. 

Read on for a list of the top houseplants that can help keep your house cool during summer. 

1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)

With its high-water content, it transpires and releases cool, evaporated moisture into the air. It also gives off oxygen, keeping you cool during those hot summer nights.
This striking succulent is also known for removing toxins from the air, such as benzene and formaldehyde. 

2. Rubber Plant (Ficus Elastica)

The more foliage a plant has and the bigger the leaves are, the more moisture it will release back into the air. Varieties that tend to thrive in humid environments will take in water through their roots and then release moisture through the pores on the underside of their leaves or fronds. 

3. Weeping Fig (Ficus Benjamina)

One of the few trees that grow well indoors, this leafy tree helps to keep the air inside moist and cool. Opt for a tall trunk with a bushy top that could serve as a little forest canopy for other plants below or around it.

Be sure to position your ficus in medium light so it can soak up the sun. 

4. Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)

This is another plant well-known for its ability to purify toxins in the air. It also has a high transpiration rate that will help humidify the air around it. 

Group your plants together so they can create their own little atmospheric ecosystem, improving surrounding humidity. 

5. Palms (Arecaceae)

The green leaves of palms like Areca palms, fern palms, fishtail palm and lady palm feature small stomas that take in CO2 and release oxygen.

An arrangement of palms is not only lovely to look at, but also creates a mini indoor rain forest, so it’s the perfect way to give your home a tropical feel during the summer months. 

Looking for more ideas to beat the summer heat? Check out our Energy Efficiency page for more tips to keep you cool – and save on energy too. 

Want to take your environmental friendliness to the next level?

The post 5 plants to help keep your house cool appeared first on The Origin Blog.

To help you find the indoor gas heater that best suits your needs, take a look at the ‘Origin 7-step method’.

1.   The indoor gas (or LPG) heater basics

Important to understand is that there are two main ways to connect gas heating, whether you have LPG or natural gas.

Unflued and flued gas heaters:

2.   Top gas heater features and types

Everyone’s different. Some people love the glow of radiant heat or a gas log fire. Others don’t need the atmosphere – they just want certain rooms to feel more liveable at high-use times of the day through the colder months. 

Types of unflued and flued gas heaters:

3.   Your location and indoor room sizes

Here’s the thing, all the micro-environmental factors – like how cold it is or whether you get much sunshine at certain times of the day – help determine the type of indoor gas heater that’s best for you. So too does the area your gas heater must cover.

With this in mind, factors to consider include:

• Number of rooms – do you want to heat a few different spaces or just one room?
• Size of room – portable heaters aren’t permitted in small rooms; big rooms need more grunt
• Windows and their size – a lot of glass requires more heat in order to warm the room
• Insulation – this helps your heat stay where you want it
• Where to position your gas heater – the size of your space and what lies beneath your walls, floors and ceilings.

Hot gas heater tips

• Portable gas heaters are illegal in small rooms like bedrooms and bathrooms

• Flued heaters are popular in cold climates such as the Blue Mountains and Tasmania

4.   Best heater size, gas consumption and capacity

Talking about the size of your space, measure the rooms and use this chart as your guide to the right gas heater size for you. The idea is to ensure that you buy something that gives you just the right amount of energy you need without over-investing.

Hot gas heater tips:

• kW (Kilowatt) measures the heat that comes out
• MJ (Megajoules) measures the amount of gas consumed

5.   Indoor gas heater safety and your home

Here’s how to prioritise safety when selecting and installing a new gas heater:

• Purchase a reputable indoor gas heater brand from a trustworthy supplier
• Have it installed by a qualified gasfitter – whether flued through a chimney or firebox, or unflued gas bayonet
• Install a standards-compliant carbon monoxide alarm
• Get the right type of gas heater for the space(no portable gas heaters in bedrooms and bathrooms).

Other safety factors when deciding on the best gas heater for you:

• Child locks – a feature gaining in popularity but not on all models yet
• Automatic shut-off – in case portable appliances are knocked over
• Portable appliance ventilation – a window or door must provide adequate ventilation for gas emissions
• Water vapour – again on ventilation, if the room can’t breathe, mould can build up (particularly hazardous to people with allergies and other respiratory issues).

6.   Energy efficiency stars

The type of gas heater you buy will have a bearing on your energy consumption, as will the way you intend to use the appliance. Before you buy, be clear about what this looks like for you:

• Will your indoor gas heater be on for extended periods in your home?
• Do you plan to heat one mid-size room only?
• Do you need flexibility – heating lots of rooms, possibly not all at the same time?

Hot gas heater tips

• Flued heaters aren’t as energy efficient as portable gas heaters
• Convection heaters aren’t efficient when used for long periods
• Radiant heaters will only heat a certain part of the room (you may find yourself installing a second gas heater)
• Programmable timers – turn the heat on and off to conserve energy
• And as mentioned earlier, if you purchase a heater too large for the space, you could be paying for energy you don’t actually need.

7.   Shopping for the best gas heater

Armed with enough information to know what’s right for you, there are plenty of retailers who can help you out. Buy a new indoor gas heater rather than second hand for quality assurance purposes. And be sure to ask about noise, as some gas heaters are noisier than others – like a few of the fan-forced models.

LPG gas heater brands

The popular brands include Rinnai, Paloma and Omega. If you have a bigger budget, hit the product comparison sites. 

Retailers for gas heaters

Do a comparison shop online with at least three retailers, such as Harvey Norman, Appliances Online and The Good Guys.

Save on gas rebates

Pensioners in certain states and territories qualify for rebates on gas connections. If you haven’t taken advantage of the gas rebate schemes for LPG and natural gas, this could really help you.

Hot gas heater tips

• Portable gas heaters range from $400 to $1,500+
• Flued gas heaters range from $1,200 to $2,200 (but can go as high as $7,499+)

Go forth and find your best indoor gas heater

With LPG or natural gas, you have a range of appliance options to choose from. It’s just about knowing what you need for the space you have and finding the best indoor gas heater for your budget.

Need LPG to power your heater?

The post 7 steps to finding the best gas heater for your space appeared first on The Origin Blog.

Home office or Bathroom

Radiant Heater

There are many pros when it comes to radiant bar heaters; they’re affordable, operate silently, and are portable with the option to be wall-mounted. Best known for heating in a hurry with the heated bars and reflector plates creating intense, direct heat. Unlike convection heaters (heaters that heat airflow), radiant bar heaters directly heat objects and focus on one area, meaning they work best for heating small rooms like a study or bathroom. Although radiant bar heaters will make it bearable to step out of the shower, it’s important to note that they are not the most efficient when using for prolonged periods. So, if you’re looking for something with long-lasting heat it would be best to opt for a heater that uses convector heat.

Bedroom

Oil-filled heaters

Like radiant bar heaters, oil-filled heaters silently operate and work well in a small/medium space. Instead of using radiant heat, oil heaters are a type of convection heater, meaning they heat the air within a room rather than an isolated area of the space. The oil-filled columns create long-lasting heat, making it the perfect fit for any bedroom this winter. Oil heaters usually have wide temperature settings, and once the panels heat up, they will continue to stay hot for a period even after being switched off – helping save on energy too. With its heat longevity, oil-filled heaters are the perfect choice to warm up the room and get a good night’s sleep. 

Lounge

Convection Heaters

Convection heaters can effectively heat larger rooms from top to bottom. These heaters work by drawing cold air inside the heater, which passes through a heating element and rises out through the unit as warm air. These heaters are nice and light, and some models can be mounted onto the wall. These types of heaters usually cost less than radiant heaters and are more efficient at keeping a room warmer for longer. There are many types of convection heaters on the market, so finding one that can accommodate your shared living space should be easy. Convection heaters tend to be a bit louder than oil and radiant heaters, however, their efficiency means you’ll feel the warmth sooner and stronger throughout the room.

If you’re still not sure what heater to choose, speak to an expert online or in-person and get the right heater to heat your space this winter.

The post 3 heaters to warm your home this winter appeared first on The Origin Blog.

You might be surprised to learn that heating and cooling accounts for around 40% of household energy use in most Australian homes. So, before you crank up the aircon, here are some easy ways to stay cool without cranking up your electricity bill.

The type of air-conditioner matters

• Running an older air con unit could be costing you more than investing a newer model. The difference in running cost of a 15-year-old split system and one bought today can range between $57 to $166 per year. Also, make sure your aircon is in good shape – since it’s likely you’ll be using a reverse-cycle unit year-round, it’s important to make sure it’s still working efficiently.
• Think about what will cost you more in the long run – if you’re looking to purchase a portable aircon unit to save a few dollars now, you might want to reconsider. In the long run, a portable air-conditioner can cost you anywhere between $68 to $201 more per year to run than a modern split system or ducted aircon unit.

Cooling cost savers

• The temperature you set can make a big difference to your bill – even on those super-hot days it’s best to set your aircon to a minimum of 24°C. Each degree under that uses 5% more energy. For even bigger savings, only use your aircon to cool down individual rooms instead of the whole house – this could save you around $470 a year.
• Use ceiling fans instead of aircon on days with maximum temperatures between 28°C and 30°C and you could save between $48 and $202 per year.
• Use your aircon for an hour less on hot days and you could save between $31 and $93 per year.
• Install ceiling insulation to absorb or reflect between 30-45% of heat entering your home.
• Double glaze windows and doors to reduce up to 40% of heat entering your home compared to standard glass.
• Shade your home to keep it out of direct sunlight in summer – think wide eaves, deep verandas, pergolas, adjustable shades, louvres and trees.
• Dry your clothes on a washing line or clothes rack to save between $46 to $81 per year.

The post How to reduce your air-conditioner costs appeared first on The Origin Blog.

Regular maintenance and servicing will help ensure safety, and improve performance and reliability.

It is generally recommended that gas appliances are serviced regularly by a qualified service person, such as a licensed gas fitter or factory trained technician.

You should always refer to the owner’s manual of your individual appliances for the manufacturer’s recommended service frequency and guidelines around correct operation.

Top maintenance tips for gas appliances in your home

1. Look after gas cooktops and ovens

• Keep your gas oven and burners clean, avoiding any build-ups of fat or burnt food. Use hot soapy water and a non-abrasive cloth to wipe away any grime or debris. Baking soda mixed into a paste with water can be handy for removing stains
• Removable parts, such as racks, can be cleaned more easily if taken out and soaked in a sink of sudsy water
• Wipe up any spills promptly so they aren’t baked on and become hard to remove
• Inspect your oven’s door seals to make sure the appliance isn’t losing heat during use
• Check your oven temperature using an oven thermometer so you can be sure it is heating correctly
• Ensure all light bulbs built into your cooker are working and consult your owner’s manual if any require changing.
   

2. Keep your gas hot water flowing

• If you use continuous flow hot water and the temperature regularly fluctuates, have the system checked by a qualified service person. Gradual temperature fluctuation can be normal for gas storage hot water systems, as the hot water is used up and replaced
• Check your system for water leaks. A large amount of escaping water can be a sign you need to have your system serviced or replaced
• If your system manages temperature through a digital controller, check the settings and make sure the water temperature is set to a level that suits you
• If you’re using more hot water than your gas storage system can keep up with, try using water-saving shower heads, tracking showers with a small timer and washing clothes in cold water
• If you’re going on holidays, consider turning off your hot water system to save energy and ensure it doesn’t malfunction while you’re away.
   

3. Maintain your gas heater

• As your heater is likely to sit unused during the warmer months, make sure you give it a good clean when winter rolls around. Remove any dust using soapy water or a vacuum cleaner, but leave cleaning any filters and fans to a qualified service person
• Look out for any signs the heater may not be working properly, like soot stains or discoloration of the walls or heater panels itself
• Check that any hoses or fittings are tight, without leaks or corrosion
• Flued heaters should have their flue or chimney checked to ensure there are no blockages which could stop proper ventilation
• Non-flued heaters require permanent ventilation. Never seal up doorways, windows or vents during operation, and make sure to use the heater in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s safety instructions.  
   

Gas safety & appliance service

The post How to maintain your gas appliances appeared first on The Origin Blog.