With heating bills soaring, everyone is looking for a simple way to cut costs – which is where radiator booster fans could come to the rescue.
For those who have never heard of them, these gadgets attach to the bottom or top of the best radiator, drawing in cooler air from the floor, blowing it across the warm radiator surface, and then pushing the heated air quickly around the room.
To find out whether these add-ons really work (or whether they’re just another gimmick), we asked a heating expert for their opinions and put them to the test on our own radiators. Keep reading to hear our final verdict and find out whether they’re worth investing in this winter.
How do radiator fans work?
According to Nick Duggan, Managing Director of The Radiator Centre, these fans will usually sit beneath or on top of your radiator and can help speed up how quickly a room warms up.
So how do they work? Nick explains, "Heat from a radiator is generated by cooler air passing over warm surfaces and convecting around a room. A fan will draw more of that cooler air through a radiator faster, potentially generating more heat in a shorter period of time.
"Fan systems often get coupled with radiators that are being installed on a heat pump. As the temperature of the water in this system is cooler than a standard gas fired boiler, having the fans helps get more heat from a cooler radiator."
Nick has over 20 years of experience in central heating and radiators, leading the team at one of the UK's largest independent suppliers.
Could radiator fans reduce my heating bills?
Yes, radiator booster fans have the potential to save you money on your heating bills.
Nick Duggan explains that since they help to heat your room more quickly, your thermostatic radiator valve will sense this and close off. As a result, you won’t be consuming as much energy as before, and therefore, it could reduce your bills.
However, it’s worth keeping in mind that radiator booster fans aren’t going to make your room hotter – they simply help the room reach its set temperature at a faster rate. If you want the temperature to increase, you’ll need to adjust this via your boiler and room thermostat.
My experience with radiator booster fans
I tested SpeedComfort's radiator fans (available on Amazon) in my kitchen and office, and found them very easy to install and extremely quiet, with a volume of just 22 dB – similar to the rustling of leaves.
If you're not sure how many fans you’ll need, the website has a handy quiz that works it out for you. I found this really helpful, as I wasn’t entirely sure myself.
One thing I will say is that they don’t look particularly attractive on a column radiator, and you’ll need to buy additional hooks so they can hang from the bottom (which costs £3.50 extra). However, given the potential savings on your heating bills (22%, according to the brand), this is something I’m willing to overlook.
I’ve been on a mission this month to find the best heating hacks, and I will say that I preferred the Radlek reflectors – a reflective sheet that sits behind your radiator to reduce heat lost through poorly insulated walls.
Where to buy radiator booster fans
Easy to install and whisper-quiet, these radiator fans could save you up to 22% on your heating costs.
Costing under £30, these budget-friendly radiator fans are well worth a go.
With a temperature display and cordless design, this fan is suitable for most radiators.
Radiator fans won’t magically heat your home without energy, but if you want to speed up the process and reduce your bills, they’re definitely worth considering.
For more heating tips, check out our guide on choosing the best heat emitter for your home and whether you should leave an oil-filled radiator on overnight.
