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Heating, Cooling & Air Treatment Buying Guide
Looking for something to keep you and your family nice and toasty at home? Or maybe you’re thinking about getting an air purifier to keep the air you breathe in healthy and clean. If you want to know a bit more before you buy, our guide will help you find what to look out for.
Heating appliances
Heaters come in different shapes and sizes. We’ve detailed the main ones around, what they do and why you might need one.
Heaters
There are quite a few different kinds of traditional heaters available for your living room. Convector and panel models work by releasing hot air around the room. Fan heaters are really easy to move around and they spread heat in a flash. Plus, you can get hot and cool model that can blast cold air too – great for all year round.
If you’re into Smart homes, you can also find Smart heaters that connect to your WIFI for complete hands-free control.
Radiators
Radiators are perfect for warming up cold rooms, so whether you’re working away in the garage or appreciating the view from the conservatory, you can stay warm and toasty. They’re easy to move about so they don’t have to be fixed in one room, and you won’t have long to wait either as they’re quick to heat up.
You can usually find both oil-filled and oil-free radiators, depending on what you’re after.
Electric fires
For something that’s oozing with style and warmth, our range of electric fires are perfect for warming up the family on a cold night in. You can change the level of heat, giving you loads of options to choose from. Plus, even if you don’t need the heat, you can just have the fire effect on and bring the cosy atmosphere to life.
Cooling and air treatment appliances
There’s a whole range of tech that can keep the air in your home cool, clean and fresh. Find out some of the key players and why you should consider picking one up.
Fans
Classic fans are ideal if you just can’t escape the heat. Whether you’re struggling to sleep at night or want something to keep you cool throughout the day, our range of fans run quietly and come with different power settings to give you control.
Air conditioners
Go one step further with an air conditioner. Rather than just circulating cool air, these appliances work by changing the temperature in a room, so you can enjoy perfect conditions. They usually have speed settings and some even have a dehumidifying option so you can remove moisture from the air.
Air purifiers
Enjoy clean, pure air in your own home with a little help from an air purifier. Perfect for asthmatics, allergy sufferers and homes with pets, they remove and trap harmful impurities, so you can breathe easy. They’re also great for homes with open plan living, creating a lovely scent-free environment. Use the lower settings to eliminate those cooking aromas and the higher settings for high-pollen days, ideal for hay fever sufferers.
Dehumidifiers
Dehumidifiers keep your home cleaner and healthier by removing moisture from the air to prevent mould and damp from forming on your walls. They’re also really useful when it comes to drying out your laundry. Simply pop it next to your clothes and let the dehumidifier do the rest. When you’re choosing a dehumidifier, the larger the better. The big models extract the same amount of moisture as smaller ones while using less energy.
What are HEPA filters?
A HEPA filter is an incredibly effective filter used in vacuum cleaners and air purifiers. Made up of thousands of extremely fine fibres, HEPA filters can catch the tiniest of particles. When used in an air purifier, they’re able to catch 99.97% of particles, allergens and pollutants to keep the air you breathe in nice and clean.
How to keep the air at home clean
Heard about indoor air pollution and want to find out more about it? You’ve come to the right place.
Best of both
Looking for something that’ll keep you warm in the winter and cool you down in the summer? You can find a range of models that are best for both such as the Dyson Pure Hot + Cool air purifier.
As well as keeping the temperature just the way you like it, the Dyson air purifier also removes odours and gasses from your home with its 360° filter. And with clever sensors and intuitive Smart features, you can even receive live air quality and temperature reports, for even more control.
Tried and Tested: Does an air purifier improve the air quality in your home when decorating?
FAQs
- What is the difference between a fan and an air purifier?
A fan is used to keep the temperature in a room nice and cool while an air purifier is tasked with keeping the air healthy, clean and free from any allergens or air pollution.
- Can air treatment appliances help with allergies?
Yep, they’re great for keeping allergens out of your home making them perfect for people who suffer with hay fever and asthma.
- Which is the best portable heater to buy?
It depends what you want it for. If you’re looking for something to heat up a room quick then a fan heater will do just the job. But if you care more about keeping a room warmer for longer, a convection or panel heater will be more suitable as they distribute heat more evenly.
- What is a dehumidifier?
A dehumidifier sucks moisture out of indoor air to make sure your space is at the right level of humidity. This makes it perfect for places like your bathroom or utility, keeping damp, mould and mildew at bay.
- How does a dehumidifier work?
Dehumidifiers work by sucking damp air in, removing the moisture and releasing dry air back out ito the room - leaving you with a tank full of water ready for emptying. These clever transformers are great for combating condensation, preventing mould growth, and getting rid of any lingering damp smells.
- How much is an air conditioner?
We don't often get hot, sticky weather in the UK, but when we do it can make being indoors out of the question. If you want to be prepared for an incoming heatwave, or just like a cooler home environment, you can get yourself an air conditioing unit for around £419-£599. Want to take a closer look at makes and models? Let's go!
- What is a convection heater?
A convection or convector heater creates a current of warmth that flows through the air to make indoor spaces feel toasty and cosy. They work fast so they can heat up entire rooms quickly, making them great as an additional heater.
- How much is a Dyson fan?
Dyson purifying fans range from around £499-£599. Dyson combine their fans with advanced air purification technlogy, so you can control the temperature of your home and breathe fresher, cleaner air. Click here see the full range and learn more about how they work.
- Which air conditioner should I buy?
One of the first things to consider is the size of the space you want it to cool. Units with a higher BTU (British thermal unit) will cool a larger space more quickly, but will use more energy than a unit with a lower BTU. Once you know which size you need, it's all about picking features, like whether you'd like a dehumidifier option or a thermostat. Take a look at all our air conditioners here.
- Where should I buy a fan near me?
Here at AO, we have a whole range of amazing fans that can be delivered right to your doorstep – order today, get it tomorrow. They come from some of the best brands in town too, including Dyson, Dimplex and more. Take a look at which ones we currently have in stock.
- How noisy are Dyson fans?
Dyson fans are up to 75% quieter than your average fan, although they can make a little noise, especially on the highest setting. Each fan draws in surrounding air to project a smooth, powerful, high-velocity airflow, meaning you can keep your cool whilst minimising sound.
- What is the difference between a dehumidifier and an air purifier?
Purifiers are perfect for asthmatics, allergy sufferers, and homes with pets, as they filter the air to remove and trap harmful impurities so that you can breathe easy. Dehumidifiers keep your home cleaner and healthier by removing moisture from the air to prevent mould and damp from forming on your walls.
- What is an oscillating fan?
Oscillating is just a fancy way of saying it rotates, allowing it to spread cool air across a wider area. So, if you’re relaxing on the couch while your partner snoozes in the armchair, you can both do it in complete comfort.
- How much is a dehumidifier?
Buying a dehumidifier is a smart move during our wet winters, as can they help prevent mould, dampness, and even speed up clothes drying. You can buy a dehumidifier for around £186-£244, and it's best to size up if you can: large models extract the same amount of moisture as smaller ones, while using less energy.
- Which tower fan should I buy?
Tower fans can offer effective cooling while using minimal space. When buying a tower fan, look for clever features such as high power settings, speed settings, and anti-dust filters.
- What size dehumidifier do I need for a mobile home?
We have dehumidifiers for all sizes of homes, from 15 to 75 square metres. If you live in a smaller home, select one with a lower square metre to keep your home clean, healthy and moisture-free. Click here to see the full range and find your perfect model.
- Which dehumidifier should I buy?
We offer a wide range of dehumidifiers to suit different-sized homes and budgets. When buying a dehumidifier, a general rule is the bigger, the better: large models extract the same amount of moisture as smaller ones while using less energy.
- Where can I buy a heater?
We've got a toasty range of heaters to keep your home warm, cosy and welcoming this winter. From smart heaters to electric fires, browse our models here. Just add a cup of hot cocoa and slippers.
- How do electric blankets work?
Electric blankets have pads and wires running through them that heat up when it’s plugged in, keeping you nice and toasty. Don’t worry though, they are kitted out with built-in safety features, so you’ll never find yourself in any trouble.
