How to heat a country house in winter: tips for those who rarely visit their dacha

Interesting ideas

While the older generation used their dachas solely for food, today they also serve as a place for relaxation. It's always pleasant to visit a country house, alone or with friends, to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. While most of the time is spent outdoors in the summer, the dacha becomes the center of activity in the winter. However, after a long absence, the interior space cools down, making it uncomfortable. Helpful heating tricks can help quickly warm it up.

How to heat a country house

Heating methods There are many, but which one to use depends on the size of the country house, how often it's used, and the availability of energy resources. Older houses may not have an alternative to solid fuel or firewood. Furthermore, in suburban villages located far from the city, power outages are common. When a house is connected to a reliable power source or gas, these resources allow you to quickly and easily heat a cold building.

Heating with electricity

Electric heating is the easiest way to raise the temperature in your home after a long absence. The key is to ensure an uninterrupted power supply and the wiring is rated for high-power connections. This heating system can be autonomous or turned on upon arrival or remotely via a mobile network. In the first case, the equipment is left on at a minimum level to maintain the set temperature.

Manual control is safer, but it will take longer to heat the room. There are several ways to set up heating:

Portable heaters. A fan heater, oil-filled radiator, or infrared heater are suitable for occasional use. Portable equipment can be installed in any room, where it will quickly raise the air temperature. The disadvantages of this system include high power consumption and the strain on cabling.
Stationary heaters. Convectors or wall-mounted fan heaters are placed evenly throughout the house, mounted under windows or on the ceiling. They require separate wiring and control components, such as a circuit breaker or thermostat. This system can operate autonomously, without user intervention.
Infrared systems and underfloor heating. The latest generation of heating equipment has deservedly gained popularity among owners of not only suburban properties but also apartment buildings. Heating is provided by heating cables or infrared mats installed under the flooring. The heating elements are hidden, preventing dehydration and unsightly décor.

For your information!

To warm your bed, you can use an electric mattress pad or a sheet. These devices will not only warm your bed but also dry it.

Water heating

If a summer house has several levels or a complex layout, it can be heated with a single heater, with the coolant distributed through pipes to the radiators. This centralized system will consume fewer resources, but is significantly more complex and expensive. Furthermore, leaving the house unattended in freezing temperatures poses a risk of the coolant freezing.

In the latter case, special fluids are used that retain their properties at sub-zero temperatures. Heating options:

Gas or electric boiler. These heating units can operate independently or be controlled remotely. Gas boilers require a connection to the gas main. However, they are highly efficient and more economical than electric boilers.
Solid fuel boiler. The heating system is implemented using piping (with or without radiators) and equipment for heating the coolant. A unique feature of the system is that it does not require a gas connection or (in some cases) an electrical connection. The boiler can be fueled by wood, coal, peat, or plant waste.

Combustion of organic fuels

The classic open fireplace heating method is easy to implement in a country house. Direct heating involves burning organic fuel in special fireboxes. This method of raising the temperature in a building is the most economical, as it doesn't use expensive energy resources. The firebox can be used to burn prunings, plant debris, and coal.

In addition, certain fireplaces are used for cooking. Types of heating structures:

A stone stove. A classic way to heat a home. They've long been used for this purpose and for cooking. Modern stoves have evolved somewhat: they're smaller, and people don't sleep or cook on them. However, a beautifully crafted stove can easily decorate a small house, quickly warm it up, and radiate heat into the surrounding space for a long time.
Metal heater. Steel or cast iron heating stoves (potbelly stoves) are prized for their ease of installation, low cost, and ease of use. They burn any type of fossil fuel, some models can be used for cooking, and unique ones will decorate your home.
Fireplace. Some direct-fire heaters feature beautifully designed open fireplaces. A fireplace is a great source of heat on chilly evenings and is sure to be the center of attention for guests visiting your cottage.