In the world of home automation and energy savings, it's rare to come across an innovation as simple and effective as the SpeedComfort. This Dutch company, which began its venture in 2015, has pulled off a remarkable feat: designing a system that dramatically improves the efficiency of traditional radiators.
The concept was born out of a desire to make home heating more ecological and economical. With over 1.5 million fans sold and almost 500,000 households equipped in the Netherlands, SpeedComfort has established itself as the undisputed market leader. And it's no coincidence that the company won the prestigious “Greenest Idea in the Netherlands” award! The company's commitment to the environment is exemplary, going so far as to design packaging without plastic, using only recycled paper. But most impressive of all is the durability of the product itself: a 10-year warranty and an estimated 40-year lifespan. A far cry from programmed obsolescence! Let's find out more about this solution…
Unpacking the SpeedComfort
The SpeedComfort arrives in sober, environmentally-friendly packaging, made entirely from recycled paper and without plastic.
To reduce waste, the manual is even printed on the back of the packaging:
Inside, you'll find a complete kit comprising the intelligent fan, its mains adapter with a 180 cm cable, and a thermal sensor with a 60 cm cable.
The basic package includes:
- SpeedComfort fan (here x2, as it's a kit for a large radiator – 3 kit sizes already available)
- 12V mains adapter
- Thermal sensor with cable
- Magnets for mounting on conventional radiators
- Support feet for finned radiators
- Clear installation manual
The fan's dimensions are fairly compact: 2.2 cm high, 34 cm wide and 7 cm deep.
Weighing in at 343 grams, the unit feels solid despite its plastic construction. The finish is meticulous, even if the overall appearance remains fairly functional.
The quality of Dutch manufacturing is immediately apparent. Every component is sturdy and well finished, which is not surprising when you consider that the manufacturer offers a 10-year warranty on its product.
The main part is truly ingenious, as it is able to adapt to most radiators, whether thanks to its magnets, to be fixed between two radiator walls, its fixing lugs, or its hooks (sold as an option).
This intelligent fan has been designed for installation under your radiator. Its purpose? To accelerate and optimize heat distribution in your room. The system works by forcing air to circulate quietly, enabling you to reach the desired temperature twice as quickly as with a conventional radiator.
The device is equipped with a thermal sensor that automatically triggers the fans when the radiator temperature reaches 33°C, and stops them when it drops to 25°C. This total automation means you can forget about it once it's installed.
The main box is equipped with connectors for the thermal sensor and its power supply:
At the other end, it also has a connector for chaining several units (up to 5), useful for large radiators:
SpeedComfort installation: child's play!
Installing SpeedComfort is child's play, and can be adapted to virtually any type of radiator. Let's take a look at the various possible configurations.
For standard radiators
If your radiator has at least 7 cm of space between the plates, this is the simplest configuration. Simply position the SpeedComfort upwards, with the female connectors pointing towards the wall socket. Adjustable magnets provide a secure hold between the radiator plates. Our colleague Sitegeek shows a fine example.
For narrow radiators
When the space between the plates is less than 7 cm, don't panic! Simply remove the magnetic slides from the housing and replace them with the magnets facing upwards. This creates a narrower hook for hanging the SpeedComfort under the radiator.
For single-plate radiators
In the case of a single-panel radiator, the technique is different: all four magnets must be positioned on the same side, all pointing upwards. The SpeedComfort is then attached to the back of the radiator, suspended beneath it.
For convectors
Convectors require a different approach. The SpeedComfort comes with four feet that slide into the holes provided. Once the feet are installed, the unit can be placed either on or under the convector block. The result is an installation close to this:
For spaceless radiators
My radiators are a little unusual in that they have a kind of large tube running along the bottom of the radiator, leaving no room for the SpeedComfort. In this case, the manufacturer sells optional arches of this type:
These allow the SpeedComfort to be suspended under the radiator. This system is also suitable for cast-iron radiators, a material on which the magnets will not cling.
It's less aesthetic than integration on a standard radiator, but it does the job:
Once the fan is in place, there are two essential steps :
- Install the thermal sensor near the radiator's hot water inlet (or simply on a hot area of the radiator). This sensor, also fitted with magnets, is easily attached to the radiator or directly to the pipe.
- Plug the mains adapter into the remaining female connector and connect to a wall socket. This is the trickiest part, as you'll need to have a power socket close to the radiator, as the power cable allows a distance of up to 1.8m.
The system then becomes totally autonomous: it switches on automatically when the temperature reaches 33°C and stops when it drops to 25°C. From that moment on, no user intervention is required.
Feedback: performance as promised?
The SpeedComfort's effectiveness is quickly apparent once it's up and running. Once the system is installed, the difference is palpable: the room reaches its comfort temperature twice as quickly as with a conventional radiator (well, not equipped with this system). The heat is distributed more evenly throughout the room, avoiding those unpleasant cold spots.
The SpeedComfort's strength lies in its ability to optimize heating efficiency. By accelerating heat diffusion, it enables :
- Reduce thermostat temperature by 2 to 3 degrees without loss of comfort
- Lower the boiler water flow temperature from 80°C to 60°C.
- Save up to 22% on your heating bill.
For optimum efficiency, we recommend installing one SpeedComfort for every 30m³ of air. In the case of a large room, up to 5 units can be interconnected by adapter. The system is particularly effective with heat pumps, providing greater comfort even at lower water temperatures.
Noise levels are remarkably low, at just 20 decibels in operation – that's less than the rustle of leaves. Clearly, you can't hear it, even in a bedroom.
Power consumption, meanwhile, is particularly frugal, at just 0.55 watts in operation. To give you an idea, this represents an annual consumption of just 32 euro cents – in other words, next to nothing! And that's good news, because the aim is not to waste on electricity what we save on heating.
The final verdict
The SpeedComfort is a remarkably intelligent solution for optimizing heating. At a time of soaring energy prices, the initial investment ( around €60 per unit) quickly pays for itself in savings on the heating bill.
What impresses most is the simplicity of the concept, coupled with real efficiency. No complicated Wi-Fi connections, no apps to configure, just a plug-and-play system that does exactly what you expect it to do. And what longevity! With a 10-year warranty and an estimated lifespan of 40 years, it's a sustainable investment that makes sense.
The SpeedComfort is ideal for homeowners or tenants with hot-water radiators or convectors who want to :
- Reduce their heating bills
- Improve their thermal comfort
- Adopt an environmentally-friendly solution
- Optimize their existing heating system without major work
At a time when the energy transition is becoming crucial, the SpeedComfort represents a pragmatic and effective solution. It offers excellent value for money, is child's play to install, and delivers excellent performance. It's exactly the kind of innovation we need: simple, effective and sustainable.
So yes, the SpeedComfort deserves its place as market leader in heating optimizers. It proves that it is possible to combine energy savings and comfort without resorting to complex technological solutions. A fine Dutch success story that should inspire other manufacturers!
Please remain courteous: a hello and a thank you cost nothing! We're here to exchange ideas in a constructive way. Trolls will be deleted.