Member Article

Pioneering device to make homes warmer

Homes will be warmer this winter thanks to a revolutionary, energy saving product invented in the North East.

The Radfan is a pioneering fan unit, which attaches to radiators and stops hot air rising to the ceiling by re-directing it back into the room - making homes up to 2degC warmer at a cost of around £2 a year in electricity.

Now, following overwhelming success in trials earlier this year, the product – which is the brainchild of North East entrepreneurs Roland Glancy and Simon Barker - has gone into mass production, making it available to homes and businesses worldwide. Lightweight and portable, the Radfan can be secured to the top of any central heating radiator by magnets and has a thermostatic switch to ensure it only runs when the radiator is warm.

“In the days of single glazing,” said Simon, “radiators were most effective when placed under a window, because cool air from the window mixed with the warm air rising from the radiator and helped distribute it across the length of the room.

“However, double glazing prevents that happening. With no cool air to mix with the heat rising from the radiator, the heat gets trapped at ceiling level, which is not much use if you’re sitting on the sofa.

“By re-directing the warm air horizontally into the room, the Radfan makes rooms warmer and more energy efficient and consequently cuts energy bills.”

Since its trial launch earlier this year the Radfan has been shortlisted for a number of major awards, including the Marblar prize for innovative technology and the British Gas Connecting Homes award and has been nominated for the Entrepreneurs’ Forum’s Emerging talent award.

“The Radfan works on a relatively simple principle,” said Roland, “but it makes a really significant difference to the warmth of a room by directing the heat to where it is most beneficial.

“We’ve already received considerable demand for it and are delighted to be able to meet that demand in time for winter.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by HFPR .