Insulate behind radiators

Jolaaled · 19 August 2006 at 10:18AM

I want to place reflective material behind my radiators, (as i've read that this is a good way to reduce heat loss to the wall that they're mounted on..and imminent rising gas prices are so scary).

Has anyone got a good/cheap way, and tips for doing this??

My local Focus DIY sells rolls of foil stuff just for this purpose, but it's quite pricey.

Can i just use kitchen foil glued onto some cardboard??...or would it be best to try and get some sheets of shiny metal, or something else??

Do i need to put a layer of polystyrene on the wall first??

I've no idea!!!

thanks, in anticipation.

Lord_Gardener · 19 August 2006 at 3:04PM

Yes, ali foil on cardboard works well to reflect radiant heat back into room - stick it onto thick corrugated cardboard to give insulation. Shelves above radiators will also deflect heat back into room!

jonnyw_2 · 19 August 2006 at 3:38PM

Outside walls matter most so do them first.

Its a "once only" job so i would buy the proper stuff myself.

Jolaaled · 19 August 2006 at 5:15PM

What method should i use, to fix the foil onto the wall??

If i use the home-made method ( cardboard and foil) can i just blu-tac it?

But does the shop-bought 'proper' stuff need to be glued??

thanks

plumb1_2 · 19 August 2006 at 7:06PM

Waste of time in doing this, unless you do the wall top-bottom, width,breath.
As you are going to heat up the wall anyway, so what's the point in doing just behind a rad????????????????

ScoobieGirl · 19 August 2006 at 7:32PM

I've read elsewhere that the the cost/benifit analysis means it's not cost effective to do.

Jolaaled · 19 August 2006 at 8:08PM

gosh... from the stuff i'd read on the net, i'd got the impression that it was one of the main ways to increase fuel efficiency!

I'll do some more research, and maybe just do it as cheaply as poss ( i.e. turkey foil glued to corrugated cardboard).

thanks everyone for your comments

ScoobieGirl · 19 August 2006 at 8:27PM

It was a while since I read that and I can't remember it very well I think the basis of the argument was that dispite the name the main method of tranfer of heat is convection, so reflecting the radiated heat wasn't a significant saving.

If there are any links not sponsored by sellers of the products I'd be keen to read them

economiser · 19 August 2006 at 8:32PM

It will help but not dramatically. Typically a radiator output is about 80% convective and 20% radiant. You will save a proportion of the 10% of the heat radiated towards the wall. Probably overall a saving of say 5%. Worth having though for a small capital outlay. As previous poster says this really only applies to outside walls.

ScoobieGirl · 19 August 2006 at 9:17PM

While trying to satisfy my own curiosity I came across these guys

Groundwork Leicester & Leicestershire, - helping communities become more sustainable through joint environmental action.

They reckon that 6 radiator panels save £8 annually. Not bad!

fannyadams · 19 August 2006 at 9:36PM

All my rads are on internal walls. therefore none under windows.
should I still do the tin foil thing?

Insulate behind radiators

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