As temperatures drop across the country, households are looking for ways to keep warm without soaring energy costs. The SmartAir Boost Radiator Fan, available at Yimbly for £49.99, promises to heat homes faster and save money. Using the code AUTUMN10 at checkout reduces the price to £44.99.
How the Gadget Works
Placed on top of a radiator, the fan speeds up the heating process, allowing thermostats to switch off sooner. The manufacturer claims it costs as little as one penny per hour to run, making it cheaper than portable heaters or central heating.
A similar model, the SmartAir Boost Radiator Fan XL, was previously praised by the Nottingham Post for heating homes quickly and being 'cheaper than expected'. The version currently on offer at Yimbly is slightly smaller than the one reviewed.
Reviewer's Experience
Consumer editor Sam Jones of the Nottingham Post tested the product and noted: "Almost immediately upon first use, the difference was palpable, and monitoring the thermostat became an oddly captivating activity as I watched the temperature rise more rapidly than before. It's clear to see how this could lead to long-term savings, as the boiler's running time will be significantly reduced."
He added: "The device is also touted as costing less than half a penny per hour to operate, making it an economical purchase for those looking to reduce energy costs, aside from the initial investment. There's also the option to manually switch it on and off, though I've been utilising the automatic mode, which activates when the radiator heat exceeds 33°C and deactivates when it falls below this threshold. So far, this feature has worked flawlessly."
Drawbacks and Alternatives
However, Jones noted a significant drawback: "The fans are loud. The highest setting is too noisy for my liking, so I tend to keep them on low, which still does the job comfortably, though even that isn't quiet." He added that in busy rooms or with the television on, the noise is less noticeable, but in quiet rooms like bedrooms at night, it could irritate some people.
Despite this, he concluded: "In my opinion, it's a minor inconvenience that's outweighed by how warm it makes the room, which is my ultimate goal."
For those seeking alternatives, the Dimplex HeatLite Smart Convector Heater is available for £84.99, featuring a companion app and heating rooms up to 20m2. The Warmlite Thermo Fan Heater on Amazon costs £13.02 and includes two heat settings with overheating protection.
Customer Feedback
Shoppers on Yimbly have shared mixed reviews. One customer wrote: "This fan is a fantastic piece of kit, we have it set on automatic, although you can have it set manually, we are really impressed with it's performance." Another said: "Good product works really well would recommend." A third added: "Really warmed the room up in short time. So toastie warm. Slight noise, resembling when you have an electric fire on and hear the buzzing sound. But overall a really good purchase and would definitely recommend."
A fourth noted: "Great for warming a bedroom or another small room, for a large room you would require one for each radiator but nether the less good for dispersing the heat." A fifth said: "Delivered very quickly, arrived well packaged. Good price, works well, easy to use." A sixth added: "It's great our living room feels much warmer with the heat being directed towards us. Thanks." Another customer, however, said: "Does not boost heat as expected."
