 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
See relevant Q & A sections for:
HEATKEEPER ENERGY-SAVING RADIATOR PANELS
HEATKEEPER NATURAL WOOL INSULATION
Frequently Asked Questions About Heatkeeper Energy-Saving Radiator Panels
1. How do the HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels work?
2. How much money will using the HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels save me?
3. How simple is it to fit HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels?
4. Do I have to remove my radiators in order to fit HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels?
5. What equipment will I need to install HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels?
6. How many HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels will I need?
7. Are HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels safe?
8. Can HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels catch fire?
9. Where can I purchase HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels?
10. Can I use the ordinary aluminium foil I use in the kitchen?
11. What is the impact on the effectiveness of HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels ofwooden radiator cabinets?
12. Are HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels only effective when fitted to the outside walls of the property? What about the internal walls?
13. Do I need to fit segments of a HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panel on the outside part of the radiator fixing brackets?
14. What is the optimum and minimum recommended gap between the radiator and the wall for effective use of HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels?
15. To help me calculate precisely how many HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels I will need, what are the sizes of the segments which made up the total panel?
17. Does the adhesive tape supplied with HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels work on walls which have been papered?
18. Will fitting HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels on the wall behind a radiator cause problems with damp because they prevent the radiator from drying out the wall?
Answers
1. How do HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels work?
HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels work like a mirror. They are thin profiled reflective sheets that reflect infra-red heat back into the radiator thus preventing heat loss into the wall.
The special "saw tooth" design traps still air behind the panel insulating the radiator from the wall, whilst causing the warm air from the radiator to spin out into the room, improving heat distribution, reducing the time it takes to heat up the room, and virtually eliminating cold spots. Back to top
2. How much money will using the HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels save me?
How much you save will depend on the size of your house and how much you currently spend on fuel bills. Estimates suggest that as much as 70% of the heat produced by radiators is lost into the walls. HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels significantly reduce this heat loss through external walls. We estimate that an investment in new HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels will pay back in less than one year. Find out how much you could save using our Energy Savings Calculator. Back to top
3. How simple is it to fit HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels?
HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels come supplied with full, easy-to-follow fitting instructions and a good supply of self-adhesive, double-sided tape. Most people who are reasonably proficient in DIY will be able to fit the panels by themselves. Back to top
4. Do I have to remove my radiators in order to fit HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels?
No. You can fit HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels behind the vast majority of household radiators without removing them. The panels are 8mm deep and are flexible. A gap between the radiator and the wall of 20mm or greater is adequate for easy fitting without removing the radiator. Back to top
5. What equipment will I need to install HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels?
Full, easy-to-follow fitting instructions and a good supply of self-adhesive, double-sided tape are included in the pack when you buy HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels. In addition to this you will need a pair of sharp household scissors and a flexible stick or a bamboo cane to help you attach the panel to the wall behind the radiator. Back to top
6. How many HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels will I need?
This depends on the size of your radiator. You will need 2-2½ panels for a typical household radiator. HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels are designed with vertical and horizontal segments with cutting marks to help you adapt the panels to almost any size of radiator. (See also the question about the precise measurement of these segments below). Back to top
7. Are HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels safe?
Yes. HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels are safe in use whoever is in the room, adults or children. Back to top
8. Can HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels catch fire?
When tested in accordance with British Standard (BS) 476 (Part 7: 1971, section 2) HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels have a Class 1 resistance to the spread of fire. Back to top
9. Where can I purchase HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels?
HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels can be purchased from a number of websites, catalogues and retail stores. Also, from time to time, they feature in reader offers in several national newspapers. However the simplest way to buy HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels is to click the “Buy Now” button on this page and place your order direct from us, the manufacturers of the panels. Back to top
10. Can I use the ordinary aluminium foil I use in the kitchen?
Kitchen foil placed behind the radiator can save a small amount of energy by reflecting infra-red heat. However it is very difficult to fit, it has a limited life and can be unsightly as it curls at the edges and easily becomes detached from the wall. Unlike HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels, kitchen foil has no insulating benefit and it does not improve the heat distribution in the room. Back to top
11. What is the impact on the effectiveness of HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels of wooden radiator cabinets?
Wooden radiator cabinets installed in some homes for cosmetic reasons tend to restrict the free flow of air. Heat builds up, creating a greater loss into the wall thereby as much as halving the effectiveness of the radiator. HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels will substantially reduce this heat loss, reflecting the infra-red heat back to the radiator, returning the water to the boiler hotter with less frequent firing of the boiler. Back to top
12. Are HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels only effective when fitted to the outside walls of the property? What about the internal walls?
We recommend fitting them on internal walls, as the heat which would otherwise go into the wall is reflected back into the radiator so the water returns to the boiler hotter and so the boiler triggers less often. The heat that would have gone into an internal wall is not lost to the outside, but it only becomes available when the heating is off and the air temperature has fallen. So this heat is lost in the sense it is not heating the room when it is most needed. Back to top
13. Do I need to fit segments of a HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator on the outside part of the radiator fixing brackets?
The greater the area behind the radiator you can fit the panels the more effective they will be. So fitting segments of panels outside the brackets is recommended providing they are not visible beyond the radiator.Back to top
The minimum recommended gap is 15mm. The panel profile projects 8mm from the wall and so a lesser gap will restrict the flow of convected heat. The optimum gap is 25-40mm for ease of fitting. The reflection of radiated infra-red heat by the panel works over gap made by the normal range of radiator brackets. Back to top
15. To help me calculate precisely how many HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels I will need, what are the sizes of the segments which made up the total panel?
The vertical struts are 90mm, 120mm, 165mm and 75mm (measuring from left to right). The horizontal struts are 115mm, 55mm, 200mm and 200mm (measuring from top to bottom). Back to top
16. I have large open cast radiators. Can I paint the panels to match the visible wall behind the radiators?
HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels are very effective for such radiators but they will be more visible. We do not recommend painting the panels as this inhibits the reflection of infra-red heat through and into the radiator and so reduces the energy saving efficiency of the panels. Back to top
The double-sided adhesive tape supplied with the panels is manufactured to a high industrial specification. It has been designed to withstand heat and is very durable. The tape can be used on walls which have been wall-papered. However if you have an uneven or textured surface behind your radiator, such as contoured vinyl, wood chip, embossed or Hessian wallpaper, textured paint, painted brickwork or wooden panelling, you will need to use an impact adhesive (such as Evo-Stick) available from most DIY stores. Back to top
18. Will fitting HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels on the wall behind a radiator cause problems with damp because they prevent the radiator from drying out the wall?
The purpose of the radiators is to heat the room and not to dry out a damp wall. If your wall behind the radiator is damp we recommend you do not fit HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels. Consult an expert such as a buildings surveyor to find out the cause of the damp and to recommend appropriate action. Once the damp problem has been fixed you can then fit the radiator panels. Back to top
Frequently Asked Questions About HEATKEEPER Natural Wool Insulation
1. Where can I use HEATKEEPER Natural Wool Insulation? 2. How is HEATKEEPER Natural Wool Insulation installed? 3. What quantity of HEATKEEPER Natural Wool Insulation will I need? 4. Where does HEATKEEPER Natural Wool Insulation come from? 5. What impact does bringing HEATKEEPER Natural Wool Insulation all the way from New Zealand have on the environment? 6. What precautions need to be taken in handling HEATKEEPER Natural Wool Insulation? 7. How long will HEATKEEPER Natural Wool Insulation last? 1. Where can I use HEATKEEPER Natural Wool Insulation? The technical specification of HEATKEEPER Natural Wool Insulation enables use in a wide variety of roof, wall and floor constructions. It is ideal for use in lofts and timber frame constructions and can be used in both new-build and refurbishment projects. It is green, natural, sustainable and easy to handle. Back to top 2. How is HEATKEEPER Natural Wool Insulation installed? Installation is simple and safe. HEATKEEPER Natural Wool Insulation won’t harm your health and can be confidently handled without protective equipment. Packs come supplied with an Installation Guide. Download HEATKEEPER Natural Wool Insulation Installation Guide. Back to top 3. What quantity of HEATKEEPER Natural Wool Insulation will I need? For a precise answer to this question you will need to take exact measurements of the space to be insulated. However, as a guide, follow this link. See Coverage below. Back to top 4. Where does HEATKEEPER Natural Wool Insulation come from? HEATKEEPER Natural Wool Insulation is manufactured in New Zealand from the wool of New Zealand sheep. Back to top Joulesave transports HEATKEEPER Natural Wool Insulation in containers by sea with a minimal carbon footprint. Natural wool insulation is a highly eco-friendly product. Wool is a “carbon sink”, actually locking up CO² in its manufacture. Wool is truly sustainable. A yearly clip of wool is available as a by-product of sheep farming. The manufacturing process consumes minimal energy. At the end of its useful life, wool can be recycled for other environmentally friendly applications. Wool is biodegradable and contains no permethrin, pyrethroids, pesticides or formaldehyde. Back to top 6. What precautions need to be taken in handling HEATKEEPER Natural Wool Insulation? HEATKEEPER Natural Wool Insulation is harmless and can be installed without gloves or protective clothing. It is non-irritant to the skin, eyes and respiratory tract and causes no discomfort during installation. Any fibres which happen to reach the living space present no hazard to health. Back to top 7. How long will HEATKEEPER Natural Wool Insulation last? HEATKEEPER Natural Wool Insulation is highly resilient and under normal conditions will last for the lifetime of the building. This is in contrast to glass fibre products which compact and require topping up about every 10 years. Back to top HEATKEEPER® Natural Wool Insulation – How much will you need? - Guidance on loft size and coverage.* House Type Average Loft Space (sq metres) Coverage per pack (sq metres) Number of packs required 2 bed terrace 50 9.6 5-6 3 bed terrace 60 9.6 6-7 2 bed semi 50 9.6 5-6 3 bed semi 80 9.6 8-9 3 bed detached 100 9.6 10-11 4 bed detached 120 9.6 13-14 * Assumes that a single layer of HEATKEEPER® Natural Wool Insulation (100mm) is fitted. For a 200mm or 300mm thickness coverage, multiply the number of packs required by 2 and 3 respectively. The government recommended depth for loft insulation is 270mm. This is the minimum depth specified in the Building Regulations for new properties. However this regulation does not apply to existing properties. The recommendation is based on the depth of fibre glass insulation to achieve the current loft insulation standard of 0.16W/m2K (watts per square per degree of Kelvin) i.e. the U-value. We estimate that HEATKEEPER Natural Wool Insulation is about 20% more efficient than fibre glass, which means that the 0.16 U-value can be achieved with a depth of 225mm.Back to top
ANSWERS
COVERAGE
