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The ad breached BCAP Code rules 3.1 (Misleading Advertising), 3.9 (Substantiation), and 3.12 (Exaggeration). Action Clearcast said they were provided with independent test reports which they considered demonstrated the efficacy of the tape in preventing significant levels of heat loss. Specifically, they stated that one of the reports measured air flow as 0.52 metres per second (m/s) without the tape and as 0.003 m/s when the tape had been applied. They also referred to the thermal imagery and stated that the report showed that, when the tape was applied, the door was warmer. As a result, they concluded that the tape performed effectively and preventing draughts and heat loss.
Adhesives and Tapes | Dunelm
We then examined the second test within the study which evaluated the tape’s effectiveness in preventing heat loss. A door with suitable gaps was heated on one side, while the other side was left at an ambient temperature, and a thermal imaging camera was used to assess where heat loss occurred. The tape was then applied, and the process was repeated. We noted that, at the time the test was conducted, the temperature of the room was 35 degrees Celsius. We considered that consumers’ homes were generally not, and extremely unlikely to ever be 35 degrees Celsius. We therefore considered that, by conducting the test in conditions which were significantly hotter than the average UK home, that any resulting “after” imagery would not reflect the likely effect of the product as it was intended to be used by UK consumers. READ NEXT: Best oil-filled radiator The best draught excluders you can buy in 2023 1. Fowong Under-Door Draught Excluder: Best overall draught excluder
Because JML had not been able to sufficiently demonstrate that the draught excluder tape significantly reduced heat loss across doors or doorframes in conditions that were reflective of a UK consumer, we concluded that the ad misleadingly exaggerated the efficacy of the product. We then analysed the “before” and “after” thermal imagery resulting from the test. We noted that in the “after” image, the colour which denoted a cool temperature, had decreased around the gaps in the doorframe and the middle portion of the door, and that the colour demonstrating a hot temperature had increased across the upper portion of the door. However, we noted that a considerable portion of the gaps between the door, as well as the door itself, remained in colours which indicated a cool temperature and, therefore, that heat loss was still occurring. We considered that did not align with the “after” imagery shown in the ad, in which red light emanated from the whole of the doorframe, nor did it substantiate that the tape would considerably increase the temperature of a home.
Draught Excluders | Dunelm Draft Excluders - Door Draught Excluders | Dunelm
We also noted that the thermal imagery in this study used the ‘Ironbow’ colour palette, which differed from the ‘Rainbow’ colour palette used in the ad. We noted from the two reports supplied by JML that different colour palettes could be applied to the same thermal image, and that whilst the same results would be reflected in the images, different colour ranges were used to display the information. However, we understood that the Rainbow palette utilised a wider variety of colours and was commonly used to differentiate between minimal heat differences. As such, we considered that the contrast between the before and after images in the ad may have appeared more dramatic than the reality of the temperature difference.Key details – Material: Polyester; Filling: Not specified; Dimensions: 850 x 200mm; Machine Washable: No Decor style – If the draught excluder will be sitting in a prominent place such as a living room, consider a style that matches with your existing decor. This will see it blend in with the surroundings and follow through with the overall aesthetic of your home. Alternatively, you might be after something that stands out. A bright colour among darks, or one of the many adorable character and animal-style excluders can act as a statement piece in your home.
JML Direct: Seal in the heat and block out the cold | Milled
Notwithstanding that, we noted that two sets of before and after imagery had been included in the study. The “after” image in the first set contained an increased proportion of warmer colours, which indicated a high temperature, and therefore suggested that a certain level of heat had been retained after application of the tape. However, we noted that there was no red light emanating from the doorframe. As such, we considered that it did not match the imagery used it the ad, nor did it sufficiently substantiate that the tape prevented heat loss across the whole doorframe as indicated by the ad. The second set of images was reflective of the way in which the tape is used in the United States, where we understood that the tape was used to keep homes cooler, rather than warmer. As such, the “before” image radiated a red colour and the “after” image radiated a blue and green colour. We noted that the second set of before and after images matched those used in the ad but that the “before” and “after” images had been swapped to reflect the U.K. consumer’s use of the tape. We considered that it was misleading to use that imagery within the ad to portray the tape’s ability to prevent heat loss because the temperature demonstrated by the image had not been achieved by application of the tape. We further considered that, because the image was taken at a high temperature, and subsequently used to depict the ability of the tape to retain heat, that it misleadingly exaggerated the level of heat that could feasibly be retained by using the product. Draught location – Consider the location from where cool air is getting into your home. If the issue is mainly draughty windows, or draught from the side of a door, foam tape that you can cut to size and place anywhere will be the best option.The ad must not be broadcast again in its current form. We told John Mills Ltd t/a JML to ensure that they did not misleadingly exaggerate the efficacy of the Navy Seal Draught in the absence of adequate substantiation. The only downside to this particular draught excluder is that it isn’t machine washable, which can be an issue for an item that will collect dirt from spending all its time on the floor. Nevertheless, treated delicately and dusted on its outside every so often, this shouldn’t be a big problem. One of the more cost-effective options on the list, this door brush draught excluder is particularly common and useful for fixing up draughty external doors. The bristles can be cut to fit against the doorframe or floor, allowing it to sweep gently when opened, without dragging across the floor.
