The thought of having the heating on for ages on cold winter days is never pleasant. However, it’s so important to keep warm and safe at home, even if it results in higher energy bills.
Living in an old, draughty building can make using heating seem like a useless expense. Despite having the radiators on full blast, I often find myself shivering throughout the day and reaching for the electric blanket for warmth. But recently, I came across a simple method to turbocharge my radiators and fill my home with heat, and I can’t believe I didn’t discover it earlier.
Since moving into my 1900s tenement flat, the thought of switching on the heating has been daunting. It feels similar to literally burning money, as despite the radiators being on, the draughty walls and high ceilings keep the flat chilly 24/7.
With only one radiator per room, keeping warm is a challenge. Fed up with never feeling snug in my own home, I decided to try a radiator fan – and it’s made a world of difference.
Produced by Speed Comfort, these clever devices work in tandem with your radiators to circulate heat more efficiently around your rooms, reducing the time it takes to warm them up. Plus, since you don’t need to set your thermostat as high, you could also see savings on your energy bills.
How to use a radiator fan
Choosing the right fan was easy thanks to the Speed Comfort website. A quick questionnaire guides you through your requirements, asking about the size and model of your radiators and how many you need.
The site then provides a recommendation, making the process straightforward. The assembly is also simple when the package arrives.
The fan attaches directly to the bottom of your radiator using strong magnets. I chose a set of three due to my radiator’s size, and they connect via short cables before plugging into the nearest socket.
Initially, I wanted to try this in my living room, but the fan’s cable wasn’t long enough to reach the closest socket. So, I switched plans and installed it in my bedroom instead, where it worked much better.
There’s also a temperature sensor that triggers the fan when it gets warm enough.
Once turned on, it begins to hum, circulating the heat from the radiator throughout the room. After the heating had been on for about 20 minutes, I closed the door to maximise heat retention.
When I reopened the door, I found the room noticeably warmer than usual. While it typically takes around an hour to feel the warmth, this clever device had achieved the same result in less than half the time.
Having used it now since the beginning of December, I no longer dread the thought of diving into an icy bed at the end of the day. Plus, there’s another impressive feature that deserves a mention.
On milder days, I’ve placed my clothes airer in front of the radiator, and the heat has sped up the drying process significantly. While I wouldn’t advise blocking the heat on particularly chilly days, it’s a brilliant trick for those less frosty ones.
The fan does tend to be a bit noisy, but if you don’t keep your heating on overnight, it shouldn’t cause too much disruption. I’ve recommended it to loads of people, as they come with a 10-year warranty and require no tools for installation.
They’re not the most affordable option, with a set of three fans priced at £109.95. However, if you’re committed to reducing your energy bills and yearn for warmth, it’s worth the initial expense – even if it’s just for one room.