Heating a porch

davehills

This is probably one for those interested in thermodynamics...

We have a small porch. It used to be a open porch but we installed a double glazed door so it's now a closed one.

the double glazed door is on the outside facing the elements which leads into the porch measuring about 3'x6'. There is then a single glazed door between the porch and the house proper.

With winter coming we should see substatial benefits over what we had before, by way of insulation.

My question is this: Would there be any benefit to installing a small heater in the new porch?

It's only got coats, shoes and a small freezer in it and being in the south of England won't get that cold (It'll get some heat from the house)

However, would a warm porch provide better insulation than a cold one? How does the insulating effects of air change wit temperature? Will I save any energy if I gently heat the porch versus just leaving it cold?

Thoughts welcome...

macman

How do you think you can save energy by heating an additional empty space?
On that basis you would always heat any unoccupied rooms in your house all winter round as well!

nearlyrich

We don't heat our porch and in the winter it's usually a lot warmer than outside, however we are clinging to the Pennines so it might be a bit cooler outside here than there.

davehills

macman wrote: »

How do you think you can save energy by heating an additional empty space?
On that basis you would always heat any unoccupied rooms in your house all winter round as well!

Because it's a very narrow porch and obviously the K factor will be different, depending upon the temperature of the trapped air.

savemoney

I have a porch and a internal door not double glazed but its draft proved

I just leave it unheated so gets warm during summer cold in winter etc

Only thing I do get is some condensation so keep a dehumidifier in it, its only a problem when internal door is left open

You can get very small electric heaters which are designed for wardbrobes maybe that maybe best bet for you they appear to be cheap to run

http://www.wardrobeheaters.co.uk/12-watt-wardrobe-heater-1115-0.html

Personnel I wouldn't bother

davehills

You are right I don't think I'll bother.

I'd hoped there'd be some money saving potential there but if there isn't...

Thanks all!

DVardysShadow

davehills wrote: »

Because it's a very narrow porch and obviously the K factor will be different, depending upon the temperature of the trapped air.

You have answered your own question. The K factor between hot and cold will be worse if you heat the porch, because the insulation between hot and cold will be less. But it will be better in terms of comfort it might be better with the porch heated

Bear in mind that the freezer will provide some heat into the porch