BreezeBlog http://www.sleepbreeze.co.uk/breezeblog/ The blog for Sleepbreeze, the personal cooling people. Helping families sleep in the heat en Copyright 2008 Sat, 08 Nov 2008 07:26:42 +0000 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Sleepbreeze - as featured on the Chris Evan's show Play again and scroll forward to about 93 minutes. Thanks Chris for inviting Sleepbreeze onto your show. ]]> http://www.sleepbreeze.co.uk/breezeblog/2008/11/sleepbreeze_-_as_featured_on_the_chris_evans_show.html http://www.sleepbreeze.co.uk/breezeblog/2008/11/sleepbreeze_-_as_featured_on_the_chris_evans_show.html Sat, 08 Nov 2008 07:26:42 +0000 A HUGE thank-you... I just wanted to put something on the blog to thank, publicly, all the staff on Wessex Ward at the North Hampshire hospital for the treatment and care they are giving my dad. You've all made a difficult time for us a lot, lot easier and for the hope you've given us that dad will be coming home again to us soon. These poor words will be woefully inadequate for the work that you do day-in-and-out, but we wanted to let you know "Thanks from the bottom of our hearts". Andy http://www.sleepbreeze.co.uk/breezeblog/2008/11/a_huge_thank-you.html http://www.sleepbreeze.co.uk/breezeblog/2008/11/a_huge_thank-you.html Miscellaneous Miscellaneous Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:38:17 +0000 Postage & Packing down on Sleepbreezes shipped to UK addresses John Sergeant win Strictly Come Dancing, might. But we thought we'd pass the saving on just the same! As ever, thanks to all for your custom. Andy & Jill ]]> http://www.sleepbreeze.co.uk/breezeblog/2008/11/postage_packing_down_on_sleepb.html http://www.sleepbreeze.co.uk/breezeblog/2008/11/postage_packing_down_on_sleepb.html Miscellaneous Tue, 04 Nov 2008 09:40:40 +0000 Shipping prices slashed! Sleepbreeze shop for prices. Thanks as ever for your custom! Andy ]]> http://www.sleepbreeze.co.uk/breezeblog/2008/10/shipping_prices_slashed.html http://www.sleepbreeze.co.uk/breezeblog/2008/10/shipping_prices_slashed.html Miscellaneous Fri, 17 Oct 2008 18:22:50 +0000 Sustainable Business Awards 2008 Hampshire & Isle of Wight Sustabinable Business Awards 2008 We're delighted to have been short-listed as finalists for the 2008 Sustainable Business Awards. More details to follow. And of course, "Good luck" to all the companies entering this competition. Andy finalist-logo.jpeg ]]> http://www.sleepbreeze.co.uk/breezeblog/2008/08/sustainable_business_awards_20.html http://www.sleepbreeze.co.uk/breezeblog/2008/08/sustainable_business_awards_20.html Eco & Sustainable Eco & Sustainable Sun, 17 Aug 2008 15:37:50 +0000 Sleepbreeze office summer hols! Just a short note to let anyone placing an order with us that we're away from our office for a few days - back on the 18th of August. Any orders placed with us next week will be dealt with promptly on our return. Kind regards, Andy http://www.sleepbreeze.co.uk/breezeblog/2008/08/sleepbreeze_office_summer_hols.html http://www.sleepbreeze.co.uk/breezeblog/2008/08/sleepbreeze_office_summer_hols.html Miscellaneous Fri, 08 Aug 2008 10:29:55 +0000 How Cool is the Death Star? 99th Imperial Storm Trooper garrison does get one's attention. He also likes to be called Ian. I guess that when I posted on this blog a week or so ago about how many useful things you could use a Sleepbreeze personal cooler for (apart from getting to sleep), then this must have struck a chord in a distant galaxy far far away! And the Wirral, where Ian is based. It seems that dressing as a Storm Trooper, Sand Trooper, even Special Forces can get a triffle hot. So, Ian was after some help in providing a body armour cooling system. 24 hours later our first prototype was on its way to him ready for a trooping at the Nottingham Riverside Festival. I believe that Ian and his garrison will also be trooping at the Big Brother finale this year. SunsetandChesterTroop149.jpg Ian and his garrison do a lot of charity work and have been helping a wonderful 3-year old girl called Finn.
"Finn is a beautiful 3 year old who has a very rare condition called Majewski Osteodysplastic Primordial Dwarfism Type 2. The 99th's initial involvement was to get Finn over to America this year for consultation at the annual 'little peoples convention'. Since meeting Finn, and talking to her parents we discovered that there was much much more we could to to help. Fundraising is of course essential, however just as important is to raise awareness of the condition."
So, if you have a moment maybe you could visit the 99th's website, learn a bit more about Primordial Dwarfism, and if you have some spare change, then perhaps consider helping Finn. May the force be with you lot in helping Finn and all the other great causes you support! ]]> http://www.sleepbreeze.co.uk/breezeblog/2008/08/how_cool_is_the_death_star.html http://www.sleepbreeze.co.uk/breezeblog/2008/08/how_cool_is_the_death_star.html Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:46:20 +0000 Next Generation Customer Service! please keep them coming. We invented our product to help you. Hopefully our responses to your emails are equally helpful. All the best, Andy. ]]> http://www.sleepbreeze.co.uk/breezeblog/2008/07/next_generation_customer_servi.html http://www.sleepbreeze.co.uk/breezeblog/2008/07/next_generation_customer_servi.html Product development Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:45:16 +0000 Greening of Bentley - raffle prize draw Bentley village fete this coming Saturday. Anyone going along, check out the "Greening of Bentley" stall and enter the raffle. It's interesting to see how the various "greening" campaigns are spreading across the county. Simple measures that we can all take. And to be honest most of them would save us money and get us a little fitter. Can't be bad. Let's hope that the weather holds this year. If it's anything like last year I may have to start a Sleepbreeze personal cooling + Umbrella Company! And whilst we have an eye on the heavens, a warm welcome to Major Paul Moga of the US Air Force 27th Fighter Squadron who has been displaying at the Farnborough International Airshow and over my patio this week. Paul, have a great time over here. We enjoyed seeing you over the house. But could you have a word with the Vulcan and Typhoon chaps and get them to do a flypast? Anytime on Saturday afternoon would be fine - it'd add something to the fete! All the best, Andy ]]> http://www.sleepbreeze.co.uk/breezeblog/2008/07/greening_of_bentley_raffle_pri_1.html http://www.sleepbreeze.co.uk/breezeblog/2008/07/greening_of_bentley_raffle_pri_1.html Eco & Sustainable Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:24:33 +0000 Greening of Alton their excellent review of our product, we thought Treehugger readers might be interested in a fantastic local innitiative that's going on in our town - Alton, Hampshire. Greening Alton is a campaign to get residents and local businesses to take some simple steps "to make a difference to the world we live in and helps us take more control of our own and our children’s future." The steps that Alton and Holybourne have decided (democratically) to take to live a little bit greener are: Change three light bulbs to low energy; Walk or cycle if the journey is less than one mile; Turn off lights when you leave the room; Turn off all standbys; Turn down the thermostat by 1 degree; Put on a jumper before turning the heat up; Reduce water used to flush the toilet; Re-use carrier bags; Top up loft insulation, and; Boil only the amount of water you need. Easy to do, save you money and keep you fitter. And whilst we're on the topic of Alton and what goes on here, HUGE congratulations to Hampshire Fare for organising today's Alton Food Festival. I think a lot of us may need to walk those short local journeys to shed the calories we'll have piled on after visiting the superb selection of local food producers' stalls. Well done to all. Especially to the lady who made my lunch - watercress pasty. ]]> http://www.sleepbreeze.co.uk/breezeblog/2008/07/greening_of_alton.html http://www.sleepbreeze.co.uk/breezeblog/2008/07/greening_of_alton.html Sat, 12 Jul 2008 19:26:23 +0000 101 things to do with a Sleepbreeze... was! Come on, you knew we didn't just work all the time! Railway modellers build scenery out of a variety of materials, including papier mache. That takes ages to dry. And for anyone with a family, time that can be devoted to "playing trains" is very precious. So, we use our Sleepbreeze to help the papier mache dry quicker. It's worth mentioning, I have a little helper (see the FAQ page) who likes to use plenty of glue. That doesn't exactly speed up the drying process! One of the things modellers do to make their models look more realistic is to place ballast onto the track. They then secure it with a mix of water and PVA glue. Very messy, very wet. Again, it takes ages to dry and frankly we could be getting on with the next bit if only it would dry! So, again, we place the Sleepbreeze down next to the track and use it to dry the ballast. model%20railway1.JPG A lot of modellers use solvent-based glues to make their models, as well as using solder for the electrics. A lot of this is quite fiddly and you need to be close to the model. Again, I could see some applications there if you want to whisk the fumes away from where you are breathing. In modern homes people are often pushed to find room for the layout of their dreams. For the lucky ones, a loft space or shed is available. Now, the problem for these people is that lofts and sheds get too cold in winter and come the summer they are unbearably hot. This curtails their interest in the hobby to temperate months. Or if not their interest, then their ability to do anything about it. So, why not use a Sleepbreeze to refresh the air in your loft or shed? Think about it. A product that can keep you cool as well as helping with different aspects of your hobby, whether it's painting, use of glues, solder, papier mache, ballast... Ok, model railways may not be your thing. But maybe you do have a hobby where some air movement would help things along. Just a thought, but we like to think that our product offers flexibility. And if a product is flexible, then it's even better value for money! Now technically, that's nowhere near a 101 things. And this blog post is starting to remind me of Steve Martin's portrayal of "Roxanne" - where he has to think of 20 funny things to call a "big nose". I could mention that sometimes we throw a Sleepbreeze under the clothes horse to help dry clothes on a rainy day (well the tumble-dryer costs a fortune). But you were probably way ahead of me on that one. Anyway, whilst we're on the subject of model railways - best wishes to the guys at Camp Bastion who have cobbled together a model railway from oddments. Hope the package reached you ok! All the best, Andy]]> http://www.sleepbreeze.co.uk/breezeblog/2008/07/101_things_to_do_with_a_sleepb.html http://www.sleepbreeze.co.uk/breezeblog/2008/07/101_things_to_do_with_a_sleepb.html Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:39:07 +0000 Improvements to air conditioning of office spaces would you do that? Well the answer is pretty simple, but needs a bit of thought. Some years ago I was with a big defence company called QinetiQ. We moved offices from our battered (but loved) laboratories to state of the art open plan office accomodation. A lot of planning went in to this move, in particular about the number of people, computers, printers that would be in the building. These were tallied up, allowing the architects to spec the size of the air conditioning plant needed. It wasn't long before we started to notice that some people kept cooler than others, depending on where they sat. Not a problem, thought the occupants - we'll bring in desk fans. The response from the architects was "Oh no you won't, the load on the air con system is finely tuned and won't tolerate it." What they were getting at was the desk fans / pedestal fans / tower fans use about 60-100 watts, depending on their size. However, their efficiency is somewhere between 40-80%, depending on whether they are motor or belt driven. That means, roughly speaking, that for every desk fan brought into the building it was the equivalent of having an extra laptop or half a person dumping heat into the air con system! No wonder they got shirty with us. So, getting back to "Why not use a desk fan to supplement air con", the answer is blindingly obvious. They actually put extra strain on the air con system, using up yet more energy. Granted, not as much as if you drop the temperature by an extra few degrees. But not the greatest implementation of what is otherwise a good idea. If you want to go down the route of turning the air conditioning thermostat "up" to save energy and using local air flow to still maintain peoples' thermal comfort, then use a low energy fan!! Yes, there are ineffeciencies, ust as there are in a desk fan, but these are in proportion to the total energy used. So, 50% of our 4 watt personal cooler is 2 watts. 50% wastage of a 100 watt desk fan is 50 watts! About 10 years ago I was at a conference in Yokohama and met Prof P O Fanger - famous for his work on thermal comfort. He was asked to reflect on changes we'd see in office life in the future. He proposed that fresh air would be pumped direct to each person, rather than through the whole room. Whilst he was actually talking about fresh air, as in O2 content, he wasn't that far off what people are now considering on the thermal side. Local air movement for personal, tailored comfort, leading to reduced operating costs and CO2 emissions. ]]> http://www.sleepbreeze.co.uk/breezeblog/2008/07/improvements_to_air_conditioning_of_office_spaces.html http://www.sleepbreeze.co.uk/breezeblog/2008/07/improvements_to_air_conditioning_of_office_spaces.html Eco & Sustainable Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:13:13 +0000 UK pricing I believe the saying goes that you can't avoid "death and taxes". Well, technically if you live in the Boston area and fancy a tea party, then you can do some protesting about the latter. But for consumers in the UK sadly VAT is unavoidable. And we're more used to seeing it swept up in the overall price. I guess people like seeing the total price up front. So, that's what we've done on all the main website pages. We've left the prices the same on the "Sleepbreeze shop" page as non-UK customers will want to see the price they'll be paying. VAT gets added downstream for purchasers in the UK. http://www.sleepbreeze.co.uk/breezeblog/2008/07/uk_pricing.html http://www.sleepbreeze.co.uk/breezeblog/2008/07/uk_pricing.html Miscellaneous Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:52:33 +0000 New serviced countries list update For all of you who visit our website from far and wide I'm pleased to let you know that we have extended the list of countries to which we can deliver. You'll see this on our Roman Cart store when you make a purchase. Simply scroll down and select your country of residence from the (long!) list. Anyway, here's the list of countries to which Sleepbreeze are now shipping: American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua, Aruba, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Eire, El Salvador, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Iraq, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Lebanon, Liberia, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Micronesia (Federal States of), Montserrat, Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, St Lucia, St Vincent, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, UAE, Uganda, United States of America, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands (British and U.S.), Rep. of Yemen. We very much look forward to your custom. Andy & Jill http://www.sleepbreeze.co.uk/breezeblog/2008/07/new_serviced_countries_list_up.html http://www.sleepbreeze.co.uk/breezeblog/2008/07/new_serviced_countries_list_up.html Miscellaneous Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:34:44 +0000 Serviced countries update We'll be updating the countries to which we deliver in the next few days. Good news for anyone living in Canada, Cyprus... http://www.sleepbreeze.co.uk/breezeblog/2008/07/serviced_countries_update.html http://www.sleepbreeze.co.uk/breezeblog/2008/07/serviced_countries_update.html Sun, 06 Jul 2008 08:19:03 +0000