FAQs - Page 6

40. How much does it cost to heat a waterbed?

A soft-side waterbed is a well-insulated system on account of its foam edges, its cover and its sealed base. Electricity consumption averages only about 1 kWh per day. The exact figure depends on the size of the bed, the temperature of the bedroom, how well-insulating your quilt is, etc.
As a rule of thumb, a waterbed may consume roughly the same amount of electricity as a heated towel rail.

41. Can I switch the heating off in the summer?

No. The room temperature even in the summer 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.

42. What happens in a power cut?

Water’s natural insulating properties and high specific heat mean that a waterbed cools down only very slowly. So, a power cut of a few hours will not cause any problems.

43. Are waterbeds suitable for children?

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.

44. What is included in the price of a waterbed?

Some dealers list their prices with installation included, with others installation is extra. It’s best to discuss with your dealer what is and is not included in the price so that there are no horrid surprises awaiting you. Everything included, a waterbed is much better comfort per dollar than a good traditional sleeping system. A waterbed is, after all, bed, mattress support and mattress all in one.

45. Does a waterbed have any drawbacks?

The only drawback with a waterbed is that it is not as easy to move as a traditional bed and that is will add a few extra hours of work if you move house.

46. Do I need to take out any special insurance?

Most insurance policies cover waterbeds in the same category as electrical equipment that uses water, like washing machines and dish washers. So there’s no need for extra insurance. For specific queries in this context, it is best to contact your insurance company.

47. What sort of people buy waterbeds?

Now that the waterbed has become more and more established as a healthy, comfortable sleeping system, you can find “water sleepers” in all strata of society. Young and old, fat and thin, top sportsmen and hedonists: they’ve all found their way to the 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.

48. Why is there so much talk about waterbeds?

A great del of the popularity of the waterbed is due to word-of-mouth advertising spread by “water sleepers”. Many people visit a waterbed dealer on a friend’s recommendation. In Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, 5 to 10% of the inhabitants (depending on the region) are now sleeping in waterbeds. The percentage is even higher in Scandinavia and the U.S.

49. Can I try out a waterbed?

Some dealers offer a trial period. The precise details and costs associated with such a provision vary considerably from region to region, and depend very much on the make and the individual dealer.

50. Do you sleep on a waterbed?

This is a question that crops up more and more. Statistics show that contented water sleepers quickly convince 5 to 6 of their friends of the benefits of their sleeping system. What is striking is that many waterbed dealers started out sleeping on a waterbed and it was the benefits they experienced from it that convinced them to invest in their own business.