If we must favor a means of heating, it is the so-called “radiant” heating, produced by central heating radiators (gas, fuel oil, etc.) or by low-temperature underfloor heating, radiant or radiant panels. , heated ceilings or walls. “Advantage of this heating by radiation: like the sun, it emits infrared which transfers heat to the masses encountered (walls, floor, ceiling, occupants). The heat is pleasant, because homogeneous: we do not have the feeling of cold feet and hot head. Another advantage: this heating creates little air movement, therefore dust, allergens…”, explains Dr Déoux. As for heating by electric convectors, the air is heated by passing over a resistor. “The rather rapid circulation of hot air – and moreover rather dry – has the disadvantage of setting dust particles, mold spores and other allergens in motion. This heating as well as that with forced air are not recommended in particular in the event of respiratory fragility: people with asthma, allergies, or with a chronic respiratory disease, ”continues the specialist.
Maintaining your heating system is important
Any combustion boiler should be checked by a professional once a year. Similarly, it is compulsory to have your smoke evacuation ducts swept every year. Above all, do not ignore it, your health and safety are at stake. Poor combustion of an appliance or poor evacuation of combustion products can release gases such as nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide (see question 36), which are toxic to the respiratory system and can cause suffocation. Electric heating does not present this risk, and does not require a control by a professional. But remember to clean your convectors regularly – especially before putting them back into service – to eliminate the dust that nestles there and prevent it from ending up floating in the air you breathe.
What about space heaters?
An auxiliary heater should, as its name suggests, supplement an existing heater, to temporarily heat a room if necessary. “However, people who have no heating often use it as primary heating. Whether it is kerosene, wood, coal or gas, a supplementary combustion appliance should operate only occasionally, for a very short time – ideally a few minutes! Indeed, these devices are not connected to a drain pipe: they generate significant pollution, discharged into the room. Hence the importance of airing regularly. Those using oil and coal are also very polluting and can lead to a risk of poisoning if used incorrectly; oil also generates humidity, with the possibility of mold development. Even the auxiliary radiant panels, gas or electric, which seem modern are to be used briefly: carbon monoxide poisoning has been reported”, specifies Dr. Squinazi.
Underfloor heating, bad for circulation?
For a long time, it has been accused of being a factor of venous insufficiency (the blood stagnates in the legs instead of rising well), of aggravating the sensations of heavy legs and of favoring the dilation of the veins, therefore varicose veins. This was true for floors dating from before 1979: they were very hot, the floor temperature could climb above 30°C, or the heat was not homogeneous with hotter areas.
This bad reputation is no longer relevant. Current systems deliver “low temperature” energy and no longer increase the risk of venous disease. “Even if you already have it, this heating won’t make your symptoms worse. But be careful not to set it to the maximum: above 25°C on the ground, there may be dilation of the veins and, consequently, poor blood circulation. That said, whatever the heating, too high a temperature is never good for the legs,” explains Dr. Jean-Pierre Gobin, vascular doctor, former president of the French Society of Phlebology.
“Now, if you live in a building with old and harmful underfloor heating – there are still quite a few, generally collective, without the possibility of individual adjustment – follow this advice: wear shoes with rubber soles as much as possible. rubber (a thickness of 1 cm to 1.5 cm is sufficient): this prevents heat transfer to the legs,” continues the specialist.
The heater that blows the cold
This is quite recent, but increasingly common: “Now some underfloor heating systems are even reversible. They do not work with electricity but with a hot/cold water system, or other. They deliver appreciable freshness in summer. And it’s also great for better leg health! “says Dr. Gobin.
Is it true that a chimney fire is poisonous?
An evening by the fire, what a pleasure! But the combustion wood releases many pollutants including carcinogenic hydrocarbons and fine carbonaceous particles such as those of diesel. These particles enter through the respiratory system, can promote disorders such as chronic cough,asthma, respiratory allergies. They can also enter the bloodstream and are suspected of promoting cardiovascular diseases (infarction, stroke), even if the mechanism is not fully understood. So, sure, you’re not going to get sick with a weekend fire. But it is essential that your chimney has sufficient draft so that the combustion of the wood is evacuated properly through the flue. It is recommended that this pipe be swept twice a year, including once during the heating season, to remove tar and improve draft. Warning: chemical sweeping, which consists of putting a “special log” in the fire, is ineffective! And even if a “sweeping certificate” is attached to the product, it has no value.
Do not fire any wood!
Preferably use NF stamped wood and store it in a ventilated and dry place. Never burn damp wood that gives off a lot of water vapor (humidity, mould). Also, never burn reclaimed wood, painted or treated wood: this enormously increases the emissions of toxic pollutants. The same is true for packaging or boxes set on fire.
What are the advantages of the insert?
Closed hearth, the insert radiates heat well through a ceramic glass. Provided it is and remains completely closed, the advantage is that there is no direct contact with theair of the room. So no indoor pollution. But, obviously, the wood fire through a window is less fun! The insert must be regularly maintained and sweeping must be carried out twice a year, as with an open hearth.
Is solar energy healthy?
It uses photovoltaic panels to recover energy from the sun and produce hot water or heating. In relation to health, this type of heating does not cause any problems. “On the other hand, the temperature of the hot water is often not sufficient in the tank: this can promote the development of bacteria, legionella, and contaminate the installations. These bacteria can be inhaled by residents when showering, which creates an aerosol of micro-droplets of water. We speak of legionellosis: the disease is manifested by a flu syndrome, complicated by a severe lung infection. To avoid this problem, it is advisable to transfer, via a heat exchanger, the heat obtained in the first balloon to a second balloon whose temperature will be raised to a sufficient level, in order to prevent the proliferation of bacteria”, advises Dr. Squinazi.
