Description
The UniHeat 72 hour heat pack (shipping warmers) is the most popular heat source for any one who needs to ship reptiles, amphibians, insects, invertebrates, fish, corals, plants and many other perishable items.
How Does A 72 Hour Heat Pack Work
The 72 hour heat pack will activate in approximately 30-45 minutes and reach its peak surface temperature of 115°F (46°C) in approximately 4 hours. The temperature of the heat pack will then gradually decrease and maintain at approximately 100°F (38°C) for majority of of its operational life.
One 72 hour heat pack will increase the temperature of a 1 cubic foot insulated box by approximately 15 degrees. For every additional heat pack that you use the temperature will raise an additional 15 degrees. Ideally the 72 hour heat pack is used for priority or express shipping times of 2-3 days (without delays). They are not recommended for shipping options of 3+ days of transit.
Please order our 40 Hour for less time, or 96 Hour and 120 Hour Heat Packs for shipments that require more transit time.
How To Use A 72 Hour Heat Pack For Shipping Animals or Plants?
Remove the Heat Pack from the plastic liner and shake it to help activate the contents. We recommend the heat pack be warped in a towel for 30-60 minutes while it starts to activate. Be sure the heat pack is starting to warm up before placing inside your shipping container. Then loosely wrap the heat pack in newsprint or small paper bag, and place it along the interior wall of the shipping box. (and/or between two shipping boxes if you are double insulating your package.)
Be sure the create sufficient space between the item being shipped and the heat warmer in order for air to continue to activate the warmer. Do not block the holes along the red stripe on the heat pack. (face the red strip into an open space, do not place against a solid surface!)
DO NOT place the heat pack directly against any live animal or plant, as this can cause fatal harm to them!!! Use paper, or other insulation to protect the animals or plants from direct exposure to the heat warmer!! Be sure to allow for adequate ventilation in your shipping boxes by adding some holes as necessary. Both the animals and the heat pack will be utilizing the air within the box!
Heat pack are not guaranteed to keep animals or plants alive in extreme winter temperatures, as there are many variable to consider. We do not recommend shipping when the overnight temperature along the shipping route stays below -30°C (-22°F) Make sure you use an appropriate thickness of sheet insulation to line your shipping box. We will use 3/4″ to 1.5 inch (2-4 cm) thick insulation to line our boxes. This will depend on what we are shipping and the over night temperatures.
Heat packs get very warm once they reach their peak temperature, as such, please take all precautions to not allow the heat pack to be in direct contact with the animals or plants you are shipping. Winter in Canada can be very unpredictable, and carriers experience delays quite often. As such, we recommend to always allow at least one more day of shipping than the carrier claims to offer.(please order a heat pack that can accommodate this type of delay)
We also recommend to avoid shipping perishable items during the extreme rush of Black Friday,Cyber Monday and Boxing Day/Week sales. Please use good judgement when packing live animals and plants for shipping, their well being depend on it.