Sunflow Electric Heating Systems

Richie-from-the-Boro

LyndaP wrote: »

Just spoken to parents and they have ordered two radiators at £2000. Bit cross that they didn't tell me so I could have done some research for them. What does n't help is that Sunflow advertise in Saga mag and CSMA mag so OAP's assume they must be a good company with proper ethics. Just checked and they have paid by cheque. Quoted 6 - 8 weeks delivery as they are "very busy" following their "advertising campaigns" in said mags.:(
Just hope the radiators arrive on time and they work.

- even if the arrive on time and work
- will they supply your AP's with enough heat ?
- and at a price they can afford ?

There's always a cancellation cooling off period

If they are supplementary, ie in addition to your AP's continuing use of their existing heating system, they will be fine, cathedral sized expensive, but fine. If they are to replace an existing heating system as can be seen from these threads, unless they are used in an extremely well insulated dwelling they are what they are per kW.

LyndaP

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

- even if the arrive on time and work
- will they supply your AP's with enough heat ?
- and at a price they can afford ?

There's always a cancellation cooling off period

If they are supplementary, ie in addition to your AP's continuing use of their existing heating system, they will be fine, cathedral sized expensive, but fine. If they are to replace an existing heating system as can be seen from these threads, unless they are used in an extremely well insulated dwelling they are what they are per kW.

They have a small and well insulated house. I think they are planning to use these to replace their portable oil filled radiators. They also have an open fire. I can understand the salesman going round to advise on what sized radiators they need but you should still be able to get a price list of the different sized radiators. That is my issue. It means he could be charging what he likes depending on what he thinks they can afford.

Richie-from-the-Boro

LyndaP wrote: »

They have a small and well insulated house. I think they are planning to use these to replace their portable oil filled radiators. They also have an open fire. I can understand the salesman going round to advise on what sized radiators they need but you should still be able to get a price list of the different sized radiators. That is my issue. It means he could be charging what he likes depending on what he thinks they can afford.

Price relevant :

- in that case [oil filled radiators] they will work fine, but no better than the old
- 2 brand new panels can be had for £50, they like the £2000 ones are just 13a plugs
- should pay by credit card, the salesman always wants cash or cheque
- credit card payments are 'get back [able]'

peterhw

Cardew wrote: »

Welcome to the forum.

Well the good news first - they are very efficient. In fact they are 100% efficient. However so is every other electrical heater from a £10 fan heater to my granny's old 1/2/3 bar fire.

It is absolutely certain that they will give out EXACTLY the same amount of heat, for the same running cost, as any other electrical heater. That holds true if they are filled with clay, water, oil, or platinum or custard!

A heater maybe 100% but it is how the heat is applied and controlled that makes the difference - i.e. convection, radiation etc. Silly example ....if I suggested taking a 1.5 - 2kw domestic iron and put it in the corner of a room and said "..don't worry the room will be warm as toast in 30 minutes.." you'd probably think I was crazy! It may consume exactly what it says 'on the tin' but it would not be an effective or cost efficient way of heating your room!

Cardew

peterhw wrote: »

A heater maybe 100% but it is how the heat is applied and controlled that makes the difference - i.e. convection, radiation etc. Silly example ....if I suggested taking a 1.5 - 2kw domestic iron and put it in the corner of a room and said "..don't worry the room will be warm as toast in 30 minutes.." you'd probably think I was crazy! It may consume exactly what it says 'on the tin' but it would not be an effective or cost efficient way of heating your room!

Well let us consider your iron.

If you bypassed the thermostat(and the element would probably burn out!) then the iron would give out exactly the same amount of heat, for the same cost, as any other heater of the same power.

In the real world the iron thermostat would be cutting in and out and the average consumption would probably be a few hundred watts. However the heat produced from that consumption would be exactly the same as any other heater could produce.

The point of this thread is to point out that there is no magic way of producing more heat by filling radiators with any substance and a £30 oil filled radiator will produce exactly the same amount of heat as that produced by any other radiator regardless of cost - obviously for the same consumption.

Richie-from-the-Boro

peterhw,

Cardew specifically said in #20 that """The 3 electric irons would not heat the room adequately because they are not designed to deliver a constant 1kW and their thermostat does not work on the air temperature in the room""

Of the 3 types you specifically mention 'convection & radiation' but apply your assertion to an iron which is a conduction [better the conductor-better the transposition] transfer, the efficiency of this heat transfer type requires direct contact as in pan / cooker / iron shirt. This heat transfer type is very very inefficient at heating a room but has excellent efficiency at burning shirts. However the amount of heat energy per £1 produced when converted from electrical energy is exactly the same as the other two examples.

On-Radiation - electromagnetic waves travel through space and heat an object and transfer that heat to the object. On-Convection - the up and down movement of gases and liquids [convection current] cased by heat transfer

Does that explanation help your understanding of your 'silly example' peterhw ?

Cardew

Reference Post #68 above.

Am I correct that it is illegal for employees/owners of a firm to post on the internet without declaring that they have a vested interest in the firm they are praising/pretending to be a customer?

Richie-from-the-Boro

Andy_WSM wrote: »

Did you report it as such? I did.

HiYa Andy,

- yes - all 4 of them !

diawl_bach

I have just had a surveyor out from sunflow to give me a quote and their prices came out as 2.5kw £1410, 1.5kw £1120 and 3/4kw £860 and 1/2kw £760. The radiator sounded good, but was shocked by price. I did have a look at others but some would need 3 radiators for same room which would cost same. I am totally confused now. I need electric heating for a cottage I am renting. Any ideas would be greatly received

penrhyn

Check out the Dimplex range of panel heaters.