THE inventors of a revolutionary device which helps to keep homes warm while slashing heating bills say they have been overwhelmed by sales of the product.

The Radfan – which fits on to the top of a conventional radiator and pushes warm air horizontally across a room – is the brainchild of Newcastle University graduates Roland Glancy and Simon Barker.

Based at a workshop in Byker, Newcastle, the pair’s ingenuity was picked up by national radio host Simon Mayo, who broadcast their achievements to the nation.

Hours later, they had sold out of their first run of 500 devices, and the Radfan is in such demand that, to make more, the duo have had to hire two assistants to meet their latest orders.

Architect turned inventor Roland, 31, from Cullercoats, North Tyneside, said: “We went on the radio and told people about it and the orders just started coming in. People from all over the country have been buying it.

“We manufacture everything in the UK except one part that comes from China. We assemble it in Byker and we’re just delighted that it’s been so well received. It’s difficult when you develop these products, and it takes so long to design that you never know how it will be received, so it’s all been very exciting.”

The Radfan has a magnetic base which attaches it to radiators and, as well as raising the heat of a room by one or two degrees centigrade, it costs just £2 in electricity a year to run.

The married dad-of-one said: “The Radfan is a simple idea but it could have significant impact on living conditions – especially those of people affected by fuel poverty.”

Roland, who was studying for an MSc in renewable energy, met business partner and PhD student Simon, 25, from Longbenton, after both entered a design competition at Newcastle University.

The pair were both working on products which would make central heating more effective, and joined forces in 2011.

Following support from Newcastle Science City, the Newcastle University Careers Service, and Santander Bank, the first line went into production and they are now available to buy from the company’s website – www.radfan.com – for £44.99.

They are also currently in talks about distributing the Radfan to a number of universities, housing associations, and energy companies.