Dynamic Heating Services

New Ways to Save Energy? - Join the Energy Saving Fan Club

Posted on 23.02.10 at 15:12 by Administrator

At the moment, the energy efficiency of heating systems overall is at the top of everyone’s agenda.  However, while efficient heat generators such as solar panels and heat pumps, as well as condensing boilers, continue to bask in the spotlight, the rest of the system is of equal importance – otherwise, the benefit of an efficient heat generator can be lost.  Homeowners are aware of rising fuel prices and are keener than ever to look at the available options that will keep fuel bills to a minimum but their awareness still needs to be raised when it comes to the levels of versatility, comfort and control offered by the fan convector.

Indeed, fan convectors are the fastest, most cost effective way of heating a room up and maintaning a comfortable temperature.  Utilising simple and proven technology, they are able to put heat where requiered, when required.  Their efficiency credentials have been further enhanced by BSRIA research that has proven fan convectors to be 24% more energy efficient than standard radiators – a statistic that rises to 31% when running at lower water temperatures used by renewable technologies, such as heat pumps.

Heat pumps are being installed on the promised of 350% efficiency levels – but this can only be achieved when connected to emitters than can operate at low temperatures (40% or less) such as underfloor heating and fan convectors.  To be effective, radiators need to operate in the region of 55 degress centigrade.  Industry experts confirm that for every 1 degree centigrate increase in flow temperature, the efficiency of the heat pump is reduced by 2.5%.  Therefore, using radiators with heat pumps automatically reduces the efficiency of the heat pump by as much as 50%.

This is endorsed in both the Code for sustainable Homes and SAP ratings, which recognises the efficiency levels of fan convectors as being on part with underfloor heating.

It is often misconstrued that underfloor heating systems are the only heating option compatible with renewable technologies – this just isn’t the case.  Yes, underfloor heating can produce effective heating at low water temperatures, but hydronic underfloor systems rely on large volumes of water and are therefore expensive to heat up and down and cannot respond quickly to changing temperature requriements.

Even when running from a condensing boiler, fan convectors are still recognised as being equally as efficient as underfloor heating.  To gain maximum efficiency from condensing boilers, the return temperature needs to be in the region of 55 degress centrigrade.  However, many systems were designed for higher temperatures and the radiators sizes accordingly.  To cope with the lower system temperatures, the size of the radiators would have to be increased in order to cope with the calculated heat loss – but this would take up even more wall space and, in reality, is very rarely done.

The recent introduction of the boiler scrappage sheme is an indication of the industry’s commitment to getting the diversity of fan convectors.

The adaptability and diversity of fan convectors allows them to be fitted to new or existing heating systems in both new and existing properties – and even mixed on the same system with other, natural converctors if required.  Fan convectors are also very controllable and can be switched on the off independently or automatically with any heating system.

The low water content of fan convectors means that they hold just 5% of the water required for an equivalent output radiator.  As a result, the emitter (and the premises) heat up faster and respond quickly to changing requirements, dictated by the unpredictable weather. 

Furthermore, from a safety perspective, all fan convectors feature low surface temperatures, Usually, in order to create a LST radiator, additional casing is required, which inevitably results in a LST radiator being around 40% more expensive – as well as much larger – than an equivalent output fan convector.

The truth is that modern fan convectors are the most versatile, energy efficient heat emitter available.  They have the ability to provide maximum energy savings when running from both condensing boilers and renewable technologies in new and existing premises, making them the energy efficient product of choice.