Question 1

Why are stairlifts used?

Accepted Answer

A stairlifts will transport you up the stairs whilst maintaining a seated position. This is designed for those who are unable to get up and down the stairs by themselves. They can be used by people of all ages, however 60 is the age when most begin to struggle with daily activities, such as going up the stairs.

Question 2

What is a straight stairlift?

Accepted Answer

There are three main components: the motor, battery and gear. The stairlift travels on a single rail track on your staircase. This can be moved by a remote control or a toggle on the chairs arm.

Question 3

What is a curved stairlift?

Accepted Answer

A curved stairlift is used on staircases that have bends and corners. Acorn & Companion curved stairlift runs along a custom-made rail, this will adjust to all the curves of your own personal staircase.

Question 4

What is an outdoor stairlift?

Accepted Answer

An outdoor stairlift is the same as an indoor stairlift, however has the dependability needed to survive the outdoor conditions.

Question 5

How safe are stairlifts?

Accepted Answer

Stairlifts are extremely safe, when installed by professionals. They come with seatbelts to ensure extra safety. Acorn stairlifts are manufactured to very high standards and train their engineers to very high standards.

Question 6

Is it possible for a stairlift to be shortened?

Accepted Answer

A lot of Acorn stairlifts can often be shortened by an Acorn approved engineer, this will ensure continued reliability and safety of the stairlift.

Question 7

Is it possible for stairlifts to manoeuvre around corners?

Accepted Answer

Yes, this is a curved stairlift. Acorn manufactures stairlifts to fit most staircase types, they can travel round corners, across landings and even go up spiral staircases.

Question 8

How do I choose the right stairlift for me?

Accepted Answer

Choosing the correct model for you depends on whether you have a straight or curved staircase. You then need to decide what is most important to you, the brand, cost, or reliability. Different models of stairlifts suit each person’s different needs. Acorn will assess your personal needs ensuring the right stairlift is fitted, this includes curved and standing models, comfortable seated indoor or outdoor models.

Question 9

How fast are stairlifts?

Accepted Answer

A stairlifts speed is fairly slow to ensure a safe, smooth, and comfortable ride. The maximum speed they travel is 0.15 meters per second (0.34 mph).

Question 10

What is the average price for a stairlift?

Accepted Answer

The price depends on several factors such as which model, extra features, straight or curved track, and the installation. You can arrange to get a free no obligation quote from a stairlift supplier who will visit your home, conduct a survey of your staircase, and hopefully give you are more reliable price. As a rough guide, brand new straight stairlifts start from around £1,985, curved ones around £5,000, and outdoor ones anywhere between £2,500 and £9,000.

Question 11

Is it possible to rent a stairlift?

Accepted Answer

Although it’s possible to rent curved stairlifts, stairlift rental companies normally only allow you to rent straight stairlifts since they can be adjusted onto any standard straight staircase. Straight stairlifts are also easier to uninstall after rental. Stannah stairlift dealers install and remove the stairlift for free, and normally provide free maintenance.

Question 12

Can I get a free stairlift?

Accepted Answer

To help fund the cost of your stairlift, it is possible to get financial assistance, such as a Disabled Facilities Grant, or a reduced rate of VAT. The VA health care will pay for a veteran's stair lift who sustained injury during service. In addition, elderly veterans struggling with stairs unrelated to military duty may receive Attendance benefit and VA Aid. Medicare's Part B also includes coverage for medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, but stairlifts aren’t often offered.

Question 13

Does anyone buy second hand stairlifts?

Accepted Answer

P C Mobility Services buy unwanted stairlifts, but mainly recondition straight stairlifts since curved stairlifts have a custom built rail to suit a particular staircase.

Question 14

Is it worth investing in a more expensive stairlift for better quality?

Accepted Answer

Definitely! A stairlift is something you use every day, therefore you want it to be reliable. Better safety and comfort features, combined with higher quality materials, will give you your value for your money.

Question 15

How long should a stair lift last?

Accepted Answer

It is impossible to give an exact expectancy, due to the variance of workload and daily use, however a safe estimation is about 10 years.

Question 16

What is the average weight that a stairlift can hold?

Accepted Answer

Acorn stairlifts hold up to 159kg (350lb). Stannah stairlifts have a higher weight capacity on two of their models – the Siena and the Starla. All of their stairlifts can carry a maximum of 265 lbs, however the Siena and Starla straight stairlift models can carry more, up to 350lbs.

Question 17

Will a stairlift fit on any staircase?

Accepted Answer

Whether your stairs are straight, go around a corner, or up a spiral staircase, give us a call so we can decide on the right stairlift for you, you should arrange a free no obligation quote. This is where stairlift surveyor will visit your home and advise which model would be best suited to your staircase.  Stannah offers two chairs, designed so that your knees don’t hit anything if you do have a narrow staircase: The Sadler is a perch seat allowing you to ride in a more upright position. Whereas the Siena has a curved seat back allowing you sit further back in the chair.

Question 18

Are stairlifts VAT exempt?

Accepted Answer

If you are disabled or have a long term illness, you will not be charged VAT on products designed or adapted for your own personal or domestic use.

Question 19

Will a doorway next to the stairs be a problem?

Accepted Answer

No, it won’t be a problem. We can install a retractable rail which folds, so it is out of the doorway when not being used. The rail unfolds automatically when you want to use your stairlift, avoiding any heavy lifting.

Question 20

How was the stairlift invented?

Accepted Answer

C.C. Crispen invented the 'inclinator' in the 1920s, now known as the stairlift. He created the device in attempt to help his sick friend move up and down the stairs.

Question 21

What is meant by a bridging platform?

Accepted Answer

It’s a small wooden platform at the top of the stairs which creates a bridge between the landing and the footplate of the stairlift. Due to changes in EU health and safety legislation, they are much less common now and some manufacturers will not now fit them.

Question 22

Once ordered, how quickly can my stairlift be fitted?

Accepted Answer

Straight stairlifts should be ready for installation within a few days, whereas curved stairlifts will take longer (around 8 weeks). This is because they need to be manufactured to exact staircase measurements. Your local council offers a free service to assess your home and recommend changes to help.

Question 23

What is the process of the stairlifts installation?

Accepted Answer

The stair lift attaches to your stairs instead of the wall, where the rail is supported and screwed in through the floor, no matter the surface.

Question 24

How easy is it to remove a stairlift?

Accepted Answer

Straight stairlifts are easier to install and remove than the curved ones, whereas curved chairlift removal is harder and requires at least two engineers.

Question 25

What is the time frame for installing a stairlift?

Accepted Answer

Straight stairlifts take around 1 to 2 hours to install, with more complex installations taking 4 to 5 hours. After installation the Engineer will run you through the simple controls of an Acorn stairlift.

It is possible to buy a straight stair lift and install it yourself, it is important to know what you are doing. You may then need to get an electrician to check there is power available where it’s needed.

Question 26

Is having a stairlift installed disruptive?

Accepted Answer

No, not particularly. Stairlifts attach to the floor, therefore there is no need to drill into the wall. However, if you have a handrail which you will need to be removed, you may have to cover up where it originally was.

Question 27

What if my stairlift were to break down?

Accepted Answer

New and reconditioned stairlifts from reputable companies come with a warranty, so if there is for some reason a breakdown, make sure to contact your supplier.

Question 28

What happens if there is a power cut during use of the stairlift?

Accepted Answer

All stairlifts are fitted with a back-up battery, so the stairlift will continue operating as usual if there were to be a power cut. The stairlift is powered by the battery for at least 8 hours, the battery will recharge itself from the mains.

Question 29

Is using the stairlift straightforward?

Accepted Answer

Stair lifts are very straightforward to operate. All stairlifts have a switch which the rider pushes and holds in order to move up or down the stairs. The chair beeps once and stops automatically when the stairlift reaches the end of its track.

Question 30

Will the stairlift prevent myself and others from using the stairs as normal?

Accepted Answer

No, the rails take up little space and the stairlift seats, arms and foot rests can be folded up when not in use, leaving space for others to use the stairs as normal.

Question 31

Is the stairlift noisy?

Accepted Answer

Stairlifts use low voltage and DC batteries, reducing noise levels which can be likened to that of a microwave.

Question 32

How do I stop my stairlift from beeping?

Accepted Answer

If the power supply isn't supplying enough power, the stairlift will beep and eventually stop working. Check that your stairlift is always placed in the correct position at the charging point. If you do happen to have a power cut, you can temporarily stop the beeping noise by pressing the battery isolation button. The location of this should be shown in your User Guide.

Question 33

What happens if you are obstructed on the stairlift?

Accepted Answer

If you are obstructed by something whilst you are using the stairlift, it will slow to a halt. The controls can then be used to reverse back, in order for the obstruction to be removed and for you to carry on with your journey.

Question 34

Is a stairlift expensive to run and how is it powered?

Accepted Answer

A stairlifts running costs are low considering you don’t need to service a new stairlift, therefore there’s little to worry about in terms of repair costs if there does happen to be a problem with your stairlift. They are battery powered, but must be plugged in when they are not being used in order for the battery to remain charged. This applies for all stairlift models. Audible and visual signals are used to alert you if your lift is not on the charging point, therefore the stairlifts power supply should always be switched on.

Question 35

How do you move a stairlift manually?

Accepted Answer

Your hinged rail should be fully lowered and locked in position, however if your stairlift does still not seem to move, try turning the power key off and then back on again. The stairlift should then start a few seconds after moving and holding the control in the direction of travel.

Question 36

Why has my stairlift stopped working?

Accepted Answer

The stairlifts display will point out a problem if the key isn’t switched on, so you should check that the key has been turned into the correct position. Another reason could be because the stairlift batteries need to be replaced, which is likely to be the reason if it sounds like the stairlift is under pressure and becomes very slow when ascending the stairs.

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