Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use UniHeat shipping warmers?
Our Canadian winters can be very frigid and cold. A good understanding on how the UniHeat shipping warmers work is crucial. This will give you the best chance in successfully shipping temperature sensitive shipments all winter long.
When preparing a shipment, it is always a good idea to check your current temperature and the temperature of the destination so shipping can be planned accordingly. It is advised that if the temperatures are too cold to refrain from shipping at that time, wait for milder temperatures.
1. Choose appropriate shipping warmer size for the shipment. Calculate how many days the shipment will be in transit and choose the appropriate shipping warmer size based on the number of hours anticipated. For example: a shipment that is going to take about 2-3 business days in transit would be best suited to use a 72-hour shipping warmer.
2. What kind of packaging are you going to use. It is recommended to ship with insulated boxes. Insulated boxes will keep the heat inside and the cold out. Shipping warmers placed in uninsulated boxes will have a shorter life as the shipping warmer will cool sooner and potentially fail prematurely.
3. UniHeat Shipping Warmers come with an adhesive back which gives you the option to stick it to the inside of the box. Remember heat rises so it’s a good idea to place the shipping warmer on the bottom of the box if possible.
4. Be sure NOT to cover the venting holes which are indicated by a red stripe. The warmer needs these holes to be clear in order for it to activate and work.
5. A good rule of thumb is 1 shipping warmer to 1 cubic foot of insulated box. This works very well for mild seasonal temperatures of up to -15 Celsius. Additional warmers can be added to the box. Each additional shipping warmer will increase the overall inside temperature by 5 degrees.
6. It is recommended you allow shipping warmer to heat up in a towel for at least 30-60 minutes. Please view our graphs on the times it takes to reach peak temperatures of desired shipping warmer of choice. DO NOT place shipping warmer directly on or beside sensitive living things, as they may be harmed.
In conclusion shipping warmers are not guaranteed to keep animals or plants alive in extreme cold weather spells, as there are many variables to consider. It is always best to run some trial-and-error tests before hand. This will ensure you have a good understanding of how the shipping warmers work and what to expect.
How long does it take for my shipping warmer to warm up?
UniHeat shipping warmers are designed to release heat slowly for the first 2- 4 hours (feel warm in 30- 60 minutes at 68-72 degree F) to conserve energy for the duration of the shipment. Please see graphs on the time it takes to reach peak heat temperatures of each shipping warmer on desired shipping warmer product page.
When will my order dispatch from your warehouse?
Orders usually ship from our warehouse anywhere from 2-4 business days.
Why is my shipping warmer not heating up?
Warmers will feel warm to the touch within 2-4 hours but will take several hours to reach peek temperatures. They are designed like this as they need to conserve energy for the duration of the shipment when they are actually going to need the heat.
My shipping warmers arrived, but they are frozen what do I do?
During the winter shipping warmers may arrive frozen as it is very cold during transit. Once received and frozen you must NOT open the shipping warmer. Please allow the shipping warmer to warm up for several hours before opening and using.
What are the expiry dates on current stock?
All current stock expiry is listed and updated on the desired shipping warmer product page.
How to properly test a UniHeat shipping Warmer?
In order to properly test your UniHeat shipping warmer you will need to open/remove it from the plastic package and wrap it in a cloth bath towel. Please note shipping warmers must be tested in a environment that is room temperature (65F – 70F).
A shipping warmer placed on a table in a open room will feel slightly warm to the touch, but there is too large of an open air environment for it to properly warm up. After 30 minutes or so (depending on the warmer size) open the cloth towel up and you will feel the surface heat. Please note that the surface temperature of the shipping warmer will not be the same temperature inside your insulated box.
Your insulated box will maintain a temperature of anywhere from 70°F – 90°F. This temperature will depend on size of box, box insulation value, and size of desired shipping warmer. Please note that a shipping warmer that is rock hard is burnt out and no longer usable.