Frequently Asked Questions What type of heater is it? An electric wall-mounted convection panel heater. What is it made of? A fibre-cement board (non-asbestos). How does it work? Like a central heating system, it uses the principle of hot air rising, or convection heating, continuously drawing in cooler air to be heated. This very economic form of “background” heating is safe and efficient. How economical is it? It is probably the most economical heater on the market. Because the heater is of such a low wattage, it uses very little electricity. You can save up to 80% of electricity when compared to a 1500 Watt heater, generally used in households. How can that be effective? There is a constant circulation of hot air rising from a large surface area between the heater and the wall. There is also a constant flow of direct heat radiating from the front surface. These two forms of heating result in an effective and inexpensive heating system. Is it safer for children and pets? Yes! The panel heater has no exposed elements, no gas and has a safer, lower surface temperature. The fibre cement board of the wall panel heater has a heat transfer rate that is about 40 times slower than metal surfaces (low thermal conductivity). What size room will it heat? The 400 Watt heater has been specifically designed to heat an average size room of about 3m x 4m (12m²). You can add as many heaters as you like to heat any size room or home, creating a cost-effective central heating system. Do I still need it if I have central heating in my home? Indeed, the Econo-Heat wall panel heater can be used in conjunction with central heating installations to help you save on central heating costs. By using the Econo-Heat wall panel heater throughout the winter season, you can create heat more economically efficiently by reducing the usage and temperature of the central heating system or by keeping it switched off for longer periods of time. Can I paint it? Yes, the panel heater can be painted with any household PVA paint to match any wall colour (no oil-based paints). How do I install it? Every heater comes with an Econo-Kit installation kit that includes the necessary hardware along with easy to follow 3-step instructions. What international certifications does the panel heater have? The Econo-Heat wall panel heater complies with strict international safety standards such as the South African Bureau of Standards, TUV GS, NF, UL, Wakefields, the Israeli Standards Institute and the Korean Standards Authority. What is the risk of burns to occupants? The Econo-Heat wall panel heater is slim and compact and is out-of-the-way mounted to the wall. The panel is made out of non-flammable, non-combustible material. The heater’s surface temperature varies between 75 – 90°C. Although this may sound high, one has to keep in mind that all heaters have hot areas and some heaters reach much higher surface temperatures than the Econo-Heat wall panel heater. For example, oil-filled rib heaters reach surface temperatures far exceeding 100°C. Also, these types of heaters have metal surfaces reaching these high temperatures. If you touch a good thermal conductor (like metal) at 75 – 90°C with your finger, you are likely to burn a blister on your finger before you have a chance to pull it away. On the other hand, if you touch a poor thermal conductor (like wood or fibre-cement, the latter being the material that the Econo-Heat wall panel heater is made of) at the same temperature, you will not be able to keep your finger there, but you will pull it away before it can burn you. The reason is that because fibre-cement is a poor thermal conductor, not enough heat can transfer from the hot surface to your finger to cause injury. |
The Econo-Heat wall panel heater is a do-it-yourself product. It comes with a patented Econo-Kit installation kit and easy to follow 3-step installation instructions. Does this product suit a particular type of house more than another? The Econo-Heat wall panel heater is designed for domestic use, in offices, hostels, hospitals and similar applications. It can be fitted to either hard (brick) or dry (GIB) wall buildings. How robust is this product for the social housing environment? The Econo-Heat wall panel heater is wall mounted and out-of-the-way, unlike free standing locality heaters that can be knocked over and with cables that can be tripped over. How long has this product been around for, what will it be like to replace in 10 years time? The Econo-Heat wall panel heater was invented in 1990 and has been on the market for almost 20 years. The manufacturer is supplying the product to 40 countries worldwide and is currently upgrading its production capacity to meet the growing demand for the product. Where is it manufactured (distance travelled)? The Econo-Heat wall panel heater is manufactured in Cape Town, South Africa and is exported to over 40 countries worldwide. % of recycled material in its manufacture? The raw fibre-cement panel contains wood pulp which is estimated to be about 15% of the material of the panel. Is it made from a renewable resource? The plastic components on the Econo-Heat wall panel heater can be recycled, as well as the cardboard packaging in which the products is shipped. Is it manufactured in a responsible manner? Yes. Econo-Heat is a manufacturer that places a high value and premium on sustainability, the environment and on its people. Environmental impact Econo-Heat is committed to ensure minimum environmental impact. This is not only demonstrated in the features of the company’s main product, the environmental-friendly, energy-efficient wall panel heater, but also in its manufacturing process. With the current upgrade of its manufacturing facilities taking effect in February 2010, the company introduces new production technologies that significantly increase the energy efficiency per unit manufactured. Also, dust pollution is significantly reduced and brought to a minimum level by reducing the creation of dust at the source and introducing modern dust extraction equipment. Other atmospheric pollution is being reduced by replacing gas and diesel-fired ovens with modern theology. Noise pollution is taken care of by enclosing all noisy operations with high-quality sound proof industrial enclosures. There is currently no ground or water pollution caused by Econo-Heat’s manufacturing process. Is the packaging it comes in acceptable, will it produce waste we have to get rid of? The Econo-Heat wall panel heater is packaged in a plastic bag, inside a polystyrene protection buffer. This, again, is inside a fully recyclable cardboard box. Can you give an expected % of the convection, radiation and conduction? 90% of the heat in the room is through convection which comes from the back of the Econo-Heat wall panel heater, while only 10% is radiated from the front of the panel. |
