Ερωτήσεις και απαντήσεις για τα ενεργειακά πλαίσια καλοριφέρ Heetkeaper

How do the 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.

Effectiveness and savings. How much money will I save?

How much you save will depend on the size of your house, the type of wall construction 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.

Do the panels need to be fitted to both the internal and external walls of my property?

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 hotter to the boiler and 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.

What evidence is there that the panels work?

Independent studies into the effectiveness of the panels have been conducted by world renowned experts such as the Building Research & Industry Association, the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority, the Scottish Energy Centre, Queen’s University, Belfast, and the University of Sheffield.

Ease of fitting. How simple is it to fit the panels?

Most people who are reasonably proficient in basic DIY will be able to fit the panels by themselves. It is not necessary to remove the radiators. HEATKEEPER Panels come supplied with comprehensive, easy-to-follow fitting instructions and a good supply of self-adhesive, double-sided tape.

Do I have to remove my radiators to fit the panels?

No. The panels are sufficiently flexible to slip behind the vast majority of household radiators without removing them. The panels are 8mm deep and a gap between the radiator and the wall of 15mm or greater is adequate for easy fitting without removing the radiator.

What equipment will I need to install the panels?

Comprehensive, 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.

Do I need to fit segments of panels 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.

What is the optimum and minimum recommended gap between the radiator and the wall for effective use of the panels?

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 20-40mm for ease of fitting, but benefit will be obtained from larger gaps up to the distance dictated by the radiator bracket.

Does the adhesive tape supplied with the panels work on walls which have been wall-papered?

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 a contact adhesive.

Calculating how many panels are needed. How many panels will I need?

This depends on the size of your radiator. You will need 2-2½ panels for a typical household radiator. Please see our quide to how many panels you will need. HEATKEEPER 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).

Panel showing the dimensionsTo help me calculate precisely how many 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).

Safety issues. Are the panels safe?

Yes. HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels are safe in use whoever is in the room, adults or children.

Can the 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.

How to buy panels. Where can I purchase HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels?

HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels can be purchased by calling us at: 210 2015222 & 6944 556066 or you can buy by visiting our site: securetech.gr.

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.

I have already fitted regular kitchen foil behind my radiators. Will I get extra savings if I add HEATKEEPER Panels as well?

No there will be no additional savings and fitting HEATKEEPER Panels on top of foil will greatly reduce adhesion to the wall. If you want to enjoy the additional savings from using HEATKEEPER Panels we recommend you remove the regular kitchen foil first.

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 aesthetic 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 Panels will substantially reduce this heat loss, reflecting the infra-red heat back to the radiator, so the water returns to the boiler hotter which then fires less often.

I have large open cast radiators. Can I paint the panels to match the visible wall behind the radiators?

HEATKEEPER 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.

Can I fit HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels behind a wood/coal burning stove or night storage heaters?

Wood/coal burning stoves: It is possible to use HEATKEEPER Panels behind a wood/coal burning stove. The saw-tooth profile of the panel creates a layer of still air between the panel and the wall, acting as an effective insulator to prevent heat loss into the wall. The profile also aids the flow of convected heat out into the room thereby improving heat distribution, reducing the time it takes to heat up the room, and virtually eliminating cold spots. However it is important to make sure that the Panel is not in direct contact with the stove or the flue. Night storage heaters: As long as there is sufficient gap between the storage heater and the wall, the panels will work just as effectively as for standard central heating radiators. The minimum recommended gap is 15mm to achieve the optimum flow of hot air.

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 the 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.