As Ofgem's 4% price cap increase took effect on October 1, households are facing higher energy costs. With temperatures dropping and heating systems being switched back on, many are looking for simple ways to stay warm without sending bills soaring.
One gadget claims to help households get more from their existing radiators while potentially cutting gas costs by up to 22%. The SpeedComfort radiator fan is designed to improve heat distribution by circulating warm air around the room more efficiently, rather than allowing heat to build up around the radiator.
How the SpeedComfort Works
The manufacturer says the energy-saving fan can increase a radiator's heat output and effectively double its heating capacity. This could allow households to maintain the same level of warmth while turning their thermostat down by one or two degrees.
The SpeedComfort sits neatly on top of a radiator and uses small fans to push warm air out into the room, helping heat circulate more evenly. It switches on automatically when the radiator reaches 33°C and turns off again when the temperature drops to 25°C.
There's no need to remember to switch it on or off, thanks to a built-in temperature sensor. It's also designed to be simple to install, with a magnetic fixing system that means no tools are required, reports the Daily Record.
Potential Savings and Quiet Operation
Despite using fans to move warm air around the room, the SpeedComfort is designed to run quietly at just 20dB(A), which is about as loud as rustling leaves. The manufacturer says it can reduce gas bills by up to 22% by helping distribute heat more effectively, meaning you may be able to turn down the thermostat while still feeling warm.
Of course, how much you actually save will depend on things such as the size of your home, your heating system, thermostat settings and how much energy you use. So the 22% saving shouldn't be seen as a guarantee.
The SpeedComfort also uses very little electricity, while its 12V adapter is designed not to use power when the fan is switched off.
Other Efficient Heating Products
Another option is the VALIANT 4-Blade Heat Powered Log Burner and Stove Fan, which costs £39.95. It sits on top of a wood-burning stove and uses the heat from the stove to power its blades, helping to move warm air around the room and reduce cold spots.
An air circulator is another way to move warm air around a room and make better use of the heat produced by your central heating. The MeacoFan Sefte® 10" Pedestal Air Circulator is a more expensive option and is currently priced at £219 on Amazon.
Shopper Reviews
Shoppers who have already snapped up the SpeedComfort Radiator Fan Mono Set have given it a 4.1 out of five-star rating. One buyer said: "This has made such an improvement to the warmth and general comfort of the room, heats up quicker and tackles the cold spots. They are expensive for what they are, but cost nothing to run, and are a quick, simple solution that works. Noise is minimal, as slight fan noise, but no louder than the central heating anyway."
Another added: "These fans are excellent! They are fitted to the bottom of a radiator and push the heat out of the top. They are simple to fit together and are plug-and-play. This is my second set, and they work extremely well and quickly. They operate only when the radiator has reached 30°C, and they push the heat around the rooms very quickly."
A third said, "Great fans, really throw out heat as soon as the radiator starts to get hot. Now the room feels hotter, Fans are reasonably quiet something you can get used to after a while. I have installed these in three rooms. I would really recommend this."
Some buyers were less impressed, however, with one noting: "Like how they are hidden under the radiator but not noticed a big difference in the amount of heat in the room."
Another delighted buyer explained how much of a difference the fans have made, explaining: "I was sceptical that it would work, but it really does. Ours is an old house, pre-1907, and has always been a pain to heat up. The big problem was that the heat just didn't travel far from the radiator. The radiator was piping hot but still the room felt cold."
"With the fans clipped to the bottom of the double radiator the heat has evened out nicely. The whole room feels warmer. It will definitely save on bills as the thermostat for the rads is now benefiting from the dispersed heat in the room, so the boiler isn't kicking in anywhere near as often."
