Having a great-looking living room means nothing if you couldn't make yourself comfortable in it. One of the most important factor to ensure comfort is controling the room temperature, so that it's neither too hot nor too cold. Yes, you must get the temperature right!

In order to decide on which type of heating (or cooling) unit to get, you need to ask these questions:
1. Is it practical?
2. Is it cost effective?
3. Does it suit your decorating style?

The heat in a room is very much depended on its ventilation. Lack of air increases humidity that causes molding and unpleasant odour. Excess heat however, creates a dry atmosphere which dries up and damages wood. It is also a good practice to open the windows to let the air in everyday, to avoid build-up of pollutant such as viruses and fungi that can cause headache and create an unhealthy environment.

As a rule of thumb, keep all heating unit such as the radiators, fireplace, warm-air heaters and panel heaters away from furnitures and fittings, as close proximity to heat source can ruin furnishings and may cause fire.

The following are the list of heaters and coolers that are available in the market, by various manufacturers. Make sure you have asked yourself the above three questions before making your decision.

Selection of heaters:

1. Central Heating
Central heating comprise of boilers, cables, pipework, time clocks, thermostats and control panel.
Pros: The whole house temperature are controlled by a single source.There's no need to install separate heating unit at each room.
Cons: Costly and needs to be installed by a professional. It also exudes noise, which requires it to be placed in a closed utility room.

2. Heavy Curtains
Thick and heavy curtains trap heat which can be used to warm up the interior during winters. If possible, get a wool curtain.
Pros: Relatively cheap, and easy to manage.
Cons: Perhaps not enough to be used alone to provide heat during the cold season.

3. Warm Wall Colors
Warm tones has always managed to provide coziness in a room. When we feel relaxed and comfortable, we eventually feel warmer, psychologically.
Pros: Relatively cheap to produce.
Cons: Takes a lot of effort to paint up a room (or even the whole house) everytime we need that extra 'warmth' during the winter.

4. Cashmere / Wool As Sofa Covers
Though lighweight, cashmere is a very good fabric which can trap a lot of heat. Consider using cashmere as sofa covers. Wool works well too. The use of high-back and winged chair is also recommended to help keep you warm. Throw in pillows made from leather (sheepskins), and furs / fake furs.
Pros: Only the sofa covers need to be changed during the chilly season.
Cons: Cashmere is expensive.

5. Underfloor Heating
Underfloor heating provides the flexibility for you to choose to use it in any room that you wish, and not necessarily in the entire house. It works well with stone floors and some wooden floors.
Pros: Relatively easy to install, and flexible (can be used in just one room)
Cons:

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Perfect solution for all types of floor coverings

6. Radiators
There are many types of radiators, which are:

- Traditional Cast Iron
Usually sought-after by antique collectors who buy the originals from architectural salvage yards and then restore its function. This is not recommended if you're not an antique lover, as it can be quite expensive due to popular demand.
Pros: Stylish, and suits most contemporary interior style
Cons: Expensive, and requires some tweaking, if not overhauling

- Glass
Classy and suitable for minimalist decorator
Pros: With an 'invisible' capability, this radiator doesn't take up much space, as seen by the eyes.
Cons: A bit pricey

- Modern Radiators
There are various colors, shapes and finishes to choose from. The most distinctive designs include spiral and grids. They definitely look chic and modern.
Pros: Stylish
Cons:

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Look for bargain. Glass, Cast Iron or Modern?

Compare Panel Heater Price
Wall Mounted Panel, Gas Powered, Variable Heating Levels

7. Panel Heaters
This type of heater is placed at floor level, and unlike standard radiators, it will not take up wall space. They and also be part of an electrical heating system or a hot-water supply system.
Pros: Can be incorported into the current heating system of the house.
Cons: Take up floor space

8. Fireplace
There are many types of fireplaces nowadays, which are:

- Traditional Fireplace
A traditional fireplace in undoubtedly elegant and suitable for any style of living room. It uses real fire and wood, and requires a chimney.
Pros: Elegant and achieving that perfect warmth. There's nothing like real fire.
Cons: Not possible for apartment or condominium use, as this type requires a chimney. Also, need to regularly fork out some money to hire a chimney sweep, to ensure the passage-way in not blocked.

- A Hole-in-the-wall Fireplace
There's no real fire in this type, and therefore it looks very minimal and modern, and therefore suitable to be incorporated in apartments and condominiums.
Pros: Suitable for chimney-impossible houses, like the apartment and condominiums. No real fire equals to no fire hazard.
Cons: The flame-effect fire can look quite unconvincing.

- Traditonal Stove
Wood-burning and solid-fuel traditional stoves come is a variety of design from stainless steel to antique French style stove. A chimney or balanced flue is required for ventilation.
Pros:
Cons: require a chimney or balanced flue.

- Gas / Elecric Stove
Almost the same as the traditional stove, minus the use of wood or solid fuel. Though it doesn't feel the same, but the look is plausible.
Pros: Doesn't require a chimney or balanced flue. Fire free!
Cons: Doesn't feel quite the same as the traditional stove.

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Look for bargain before choosing your dream fireplace

Selection of Coolers:

1. Ceiling Fan
To keep the air moving on an airless day, use a large ceiling fan. Nowadays it comes with amazing designs, if you're bored with the stiff modern look.
Pros: The most affordable and practical coolers of them all, and can provide immediate relief from heat.
Cons: May not be enough to sustain the heat during summer

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Look for bargain. Plain or Decorative?

2. Air-conditioner
Air-conditioners are to be used during severely hot days. For optimum use (and to save energy), ensure that the windows are covered with drapes or blinds.
Pros: Can help kill off the summer heat
Cons: Needs to be serviced evey now and then to ensure it is working at an optimum level. A bit pricey.

3. Blinds and Light Curtains
Suitable to be used to screen off excessive sunlight coming through the window, in order to control the interior temperature. Pair this 'cooler' with ceiling fan or air-conditioner especially during the hot season.
Pros: Relatively cheap, and can be replaced with a heavier curtain during winter to keep the warmth in. Very Practical.
Cons: May not be enough to to use alone to sustain the heat during summer

4. Screen and Divider
The most overlooked coolers! Put a screen or a divider in front of a window instead of a curtain or blinds, for a different look.
Pros: Relatively cheap. Looking rather sassy, and creative.
Cons: Not suitable if the summer heat is just too excessive!

5. Tinted Film On Windows
Tinted film on windows are usually incorporated in office buildings, to provide some shade from the direct sunlight through the windows all around the building. Recommended for houses with lots and lots of windows.
Pros: The interior heat wouldn't feel so overwhelming.
Cons: A bit pricey, considering a house has a lot of windows!

6. Cotton and Linen as Sofa Covers
During the warmer months, dress sofas and chair loosely in cotton and linen. The key is to dress it down.
Pros: Practical. Relatively cheap, as it can always it can be replaced with a heavier winter-weight sofa covers during the cold season to keep the warmth in.
Cons: Need a little bit of effort to pull out the cushions from

7. Install A Water Feature
Psychologically provides an instant cooling by reminding the mind and body of a water fountain.
Pros: Works like a theraphy to unclutter the mind.
Cons: Pricey!

8. Portable Cooler / Fan
This type of cooler is usually placed at floor level, or on a stand. It is also not too harshly cold like the air-conditioner.
Pros: As the name imply, portable, hence more flexible! Suitable to be used either indoor or outdoor (if it is equipped with battery).
Cons: Not enough horsepower to provide that extra cooling effect.

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Look for bargain. Portable or Thru-wall?