Waterbed Heater Guide

Waterbeds are almost always heated by a specially designed heating element. Usually the water temperature is set at skin temperature, which is normally around 28 ºC. Good heating elements, however, allow you to set the temperature accurately, so that you can adjust it however you like. That pleasant warmth is one of the properties of a waterbed that is most appreciated. The unique design is simple to use, as the control is mounted to the side of your frame. The thermostat dial is large, and easy to read. We also offer the Solid State Waterbed Heater a more efficient heater allowing a more precise temperature control, therefore saving you on your electricity bills. Waterbed heating comprises of a heating mat and an adjustable thermostat. The heating mat is installed under the watermattress and liner. All our waterbed heaters have a heat sensor built into the element itself and are electrically safeguarded, sheiled and CSA approved. A waterbeds electrical consumption averages only about 1 kWh per day but the exact figure depends on the size of the bed, the temperature of the bedroom, how well-insulating your quilt is, etc. You must not turn off your heating system because even at room temperature is not usually sufficient to keep the water in your waterbed up to temperature. Your waterbed heating, however, will only come on very occasionally in the summer and so will use far less electricity. By setting the temperature a few degrees lower, you can make a waterbed very pleasantly cool on a hot night. A water temperature of 25 ºC should be considered the minimum.

Waterbeds and Your Health

Waterbeds have many medical benefits. The waterbed was, after all, already in use in the medical world before it become a commercial success on the open market. It was discovered that the state of apparent weightlessness helped enormously in preventing and curing bedsores and in the treatment of severe burns. The gentle, even support and the warmth of a waterbed are also beneficial for people who suffer arthritis, rheumatism and certain back disorders. Furthermore, waterbeds are extensively used in the care of premature babies and are a great help for pregnant women. Because no dust or bacteria can lodge in a sealed watermattress and because a watermattress is easy to clean, it is also frequently used in the treatment of allergies and asthma. And finally, it has been proven that one falls asleep faster and achieves a deeper sleep on a waterbed. A good uninterrupted night’s rest is generally considered one of the best medicines. The support, the comfort and the warmth all contribute to better health and a more relaxed air. Now that the waterbed has become more and more established as a healthy, comfortable sleeping system, you can find waterbed owners in all areas of society. Young or old they’ve all found their way to a waterbed. For many, the deciding factor was one or two of the specific benefits of a waterbed; others elected for this sleeping system because they heard about it through friends and acquaintances. People who want to stay healthy as well as those who want to relieve specific ailments go for a waterbed to make their life more comfortable. A good night’s rest is, after all, a pre-condition for being in top condition during the day.Good back support is very important, particularly when you are growing. That is the time when the back takes on its shape, which will be very difficult to change or correct in later years. So, a waterbed is the ideal sleeping system for a growing youngster. It has been proved that young children fall asleep more quickly, sleep for longer periods without interruption and are calmer in general if they sleep on a waterbed. Nevertheless you must never leave a child under the age of 2 yrs unattended.You must always add conditioner at regular intervals to keep the water in your waterbed mattress fresh. Apart from that, you can clean the mattress surface with a special vinyl cleaner. You can also wash or clean most covers. How the cover has to be cleaned depends on the particular washing instructions. All this means that a waterbed is a perfectly hygienic sleeping system. With regular maintenance, you can also avoid the build-ups of skin scales, body salts, house dust mites, bacteria and moulds that you get with traditional mattresses. This is particularly beneficial for allergy sufferers.It is important to choose a superior brand waterbed mattresses and liners. These products, after all, guarantee that the plastics in your waterbeds contain no harmful components. This is less clear with some cheap imported mattresses.A waterbed supports your back in the best possible way. When you lie on a watermattress, the water moves so that it takes up the precise shape of your body. The bed doesn’t sag, but adjusts precisely and instantly to your body, whatever your weight. These properties, combined with the dramatically reduced pressure on the surface and the wonderful warmth, provide the ideal support for your back.

Waterbed Mattress Guide

There are 3 types of waterbeds. Hardside waterbeds, Softside waterbeds and Softside tube waterbeds. Hardside Waterbeds are the original type, the waterbed mattress sits directly in a strong wooden surround that provides side support. The whole thing rests on a square base, between the mattress and the frame there is a safety lining that can catch any water in the event of a leak. The more modern style waterbed are called Softside Waterbeds. With this type, the waterbed mattress or Waterbed Tubes system is supported at the side by a foam edging and zippered mattress cover. The support from this foam edge ensures that a Soft-side waterbed can stand alone or can be fitted into an existing bedframe. They are available in varing depths, cover qualities and with or without waterbed heaters. There are different types of Waterbed Mattress, the first waterbeds were made of a smooth PVC film that contained only water. These mattresses are called unstabilised or free-flow mattresses. Various methods are used nowadays to dampen the after movement of the watermattress. The use of cylinders, compartments or fibre mats allow watermattresses of different stability grades to be made. Which stability grade to use is a matter of personal choice. It is important to make sure that the level of stability does not affect the pure sense of sleeping on water.Most waterbed manufacturers guarantee 5 years but the actual life is much longer and heavily depends on how well the sleeping system is looked after. The life of a waterbed mattress depends, of course, on the type of vinyl used and the quality of the seams. Furthermore, the foam edges are subject to wear and tear. So, it is best to choose a system in which the edges can later be replaced separately if need be. Because the vinyl of a watermattress ages (even if it is not used), it is important to choose a waterbed that is only made after you’ve placed your order and has not been lying in storage for years. Finally, the important factor is that the support element in a watermattress is the water itself. Water does not wear and tear. So, the comfort and the supporting properties of a watermattress do not change over the years, in contrast to the properties of a traditional mattress. All waterbed mattresses will make noise after filling but once all the air has been removed from the watermattress, a waterbed makes no more noise. The very stable construction of a waterbed and the fact that the weight of water keeps it firmly in its place means that there is no more of that irritating creaking traditional bed constructions can produce. All waterbeds can leak but the likelihood of this is very small, particularly with superior brand products. Current production methods, after all, guarantee robust seams and most waterbeds have reinforced corners. All waterbeds are fitted with Waterbed liners to ensures that in the event of a leak, no water can run out of your bed. The water in a watermattress only needs to be changed if you move it. A conditioner is added at regular intervals to prevent growth of algae and bacteria in your watermattress. Every waterbed has its ideal volume of water, determined by the height of the mattress, the shape of the mattress and the weight of the users. How firm a mattress feels depends more on the stabilisation system used and any extra pelvic support there is in the watermattress. Most makes offer various grades of stabilisation and you can choose the one that suits you best.

Waterbed Conditioner

Whenever you move and refill your mattress, follow the Waterbed Mattress Installation & Filling, including waterbed conditioner every 6 to 12 months. All waterbed mattresses, regardless of brand or model, that eliminate wave motion also have very little water circulation. When you add conditioner each year, you must push on the waterbed mattress vigorously for 10 minutes to agitate the water so the waterbed conditioner will circulate, or remove an inch or two of water, add the conditioner and the refill the inch or two of water to circulate the Waterbed Conditioner.

Where to find waterbed information

Air Bed Assembly Instructions
Softside Waterbed Assembly Instructions
Waterbed Mattress Installation & Filling
Waterbed Mattress Draining
Waterbed Mattress Care & Maintenance
Waterbed Mattress & Heater Guide
Waterbeds & Your Health Guide
Waterbeds Home