Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

DO YOU BLEED EASILY - OR ARE YOU FULL OF HOT AIR?

Every now and then you stumble across a really brilliant, but simple idea and you ask yourself ‘Why didn’t I think of that?’ A new product that fits that category has just been launched. Not only is it brilliantly simple, but for once the whole thing is made in the UK!

If you have radiators in your home or office, you'll know that they have this annoying habit of getting an air lock. You might put up with it for a while, but eventually you hunt through the drawers to find that elusive radiator key. If you are lucky, you find the key - it turns in the radiator and doesn’t squirt a stream of scalding hot dirty water over your nice cream carpet.

If you are unlucky, then the key goes missing, it won’t turn or that cream carpet will now cost £100 to be cleaned!

A revolutionary radiator valve has just been launched which means that air locks can be released safely and cleanly with just the push of a button.

The Homeguard ‘Easybleed’ valve was officially launched this week and has already been listed by major DIY chains, builders and plumbers merchants.

Homeguard is also in the process of appointing a number of European distributors. An Irish distributor has already been appointed.

The valve will retail for around £5+VAT and it is being completely manufactured in the West Midlands.

The Company is targeting sales in the domestic market, commercial properties and bodies such as housing associations, hospitals and charities.

Chief Executive of Homeguard and the man behind the launch is Martin O’Donnell. He has been working with Business Link and others to develop the valve for commercial application for over 2 years and In September; it was awarded the necessary British Standards certification to ensure that it complied with European safety standards.

Mr O’Donnell and his radiator valve have already received several awards for innovation and enterprise.

Mr O’Donnell told us,
“Like most great ideas, this is really simple in concept. Air locks are very common in the home or office and for a radiator to work efficiently; you should really bleed them several times a year.

Traditionally, this meant unscrewing a small bleed valve with a square headed tool and this posed several problems, from mislaying the tool to the likely scenario of rusty water spraying all over the much cherished carpet.”

He continued: “Elderly and disabled people can also have difficulties actually bending down to the radiators and turning a key– the new valve solves all of these problems.”

To use ‘Easybleed,’ you simply push the button in and when the air is gone you'll get a very small drop of water coming from the bleed hole.

It can be used on all radiators with a ½” BSP Thread - and replacement bleed valves can be fitted within five minutes. With a potential market of 7.5 million radiators in the UK alone, the potential is huge.” he added.

“We are aiming to launch a number of eco-friendly home safety and technology devices under the ‘Homeguard’ brand in the near future and ‘Easybleed’ – which retails at around £5+VAT – is our first product to come to the market,” explained Mr O’Donnell.


Issued by Ray Woods of Ray Woods Commercial Services on behalf of Homeguard, a division of Green Innovations Limited Mob: 07967 686230

Pictured L2R : Richard Stannard of Business Enterprise Works in Coventry and Martin O'Donnell Chief Executive.

Contact: Martin O’Donnell of Homeguard on 07866720713 or e-mail: sales@easyhomeguard.com. Web: www.easyhomeguard.com

For Irish distribution enquiries, contact David Noonan on 01-6107931.

The Homeguard ‘Easybleed’ radiator bleed valve has been launched with support from: Business Link West Midlands, Birmingham Chamber of Commerce’s Arrow Fund, the Aston Reinvestment Trust, Birmingham Research and Development Limited’s Transfer Technology Fund, HSBC Bank and Innovation Networks at Coventry University

The original idea came from Les Checkley, a Midland inventor who worked with Homeguard to bring the product to market.

The valve has achieved all BSEN certifications, being both tested and approved.