Radiator foil insulation is a common way to reduce the heat loss from a domestic heating radiator. It is a thin sheet of foil applied to the wall behind the domestic heating radiator and spaced closely away from it. It works by reflecting the heat away from the wall. This way, the temperature of the room will be maintained and the radiator will not cause excessive heat loss.
SuperFOIL Heat Reflector
The SuperFOIL Heat Reflector radiator foil insulation is a low-cost and easy-to-install solution for reducing heat loss and household energy bills. It works by reflecting more than 95% of radiant energy away from the wall and back into the living space. The RadPack is designed to fit any size radiator and can be fitted in minutes without the need to remove the existing radiator.
To install the SuperFOIL Heat Reflector radiator foil insulation, follow these instructions: Measure and cut the foil insulation to fit the radiator. The length of the foil should be the same as the distance between radiator brackets. Once it fits, remove the radiator covers and install the foil insulation. Use self-adhesive tape to stick the foil to the wall.
The SuperFOIL Heat Reflector radiator foil insulation is a 5m long by 60cm square of bubble-like insulation that effectively reduces heat loss from your radiator. It is 3mm thick and self-adhesive. It is easy to install and doesn’t leave any mess. In addition, the RadPack comes with self-adhesive pads, which make it a hassle-free process.
The SuperFOIL Heat Reflector radiator foil insulation is 95% effective at reflecting radiant energy. Its air space-enhancing effect will enhance its conduction and convection performance. It can be used on any radiator.
Therma-Foil
Installing Therma-Foil radiator insulation is easy. You simply adhere it to the wall using heavy-duty adhesive or double-sided tape. Standard wallpaper adhesive will also work. Once you’ve placed it in place, it’s ready to be used.
Radiator insulation made from Therma-Foil is highly effective in reducing heat loss and heating bills. Its thin, flexible profile helps to reduce thermal bridging and increases the performance of your radiator. Therma-Foil radiator insulation is available in rolls larger than a single sheet for home use. If you’re installing it for a commercial building, it can be cut to the right length.
Another method of reducing energy loss is to install radiator reflectors. Radiators emit heat into the room, but most of this heat is lost through the wall. In fact, over 50% of radiator heat is directed into the wall. Because heat always travels from a warm place to a cold one, using reflective foil insulation can help reflect this heat back into the room. This can increase the temperature output of your radiator by up to 5 degrees C!
Bubble insulation
If you have a gas or electric radiator, bubble insulation can help to prevent the heat loss through the radiator. Bubble insulation can be applied to the radiator by using a special foil. It is a thin sheet of plastic that is designed to provide thermal protection. This foil is usually applied flush with the wall and is secured with double sided tape, Velcro strips, spray adhesive or staples.
Bubble foil is typically 3/8″ thick and has a R-value of 1.0 or 1.1. This type of insulation has a higher cost per square foot than rigid foam, which has a higher R-value of up to five. In the lab, bubble foil does not achieve an air-tight seal, so the bubbles are not able to maintain a perfect seal.
Depending on your needs, you can choose between single or double bubble insulation. Single and double-bubble versions are equally effective. The former has one bubble sheet sandwiched between two external layers, while double-bubble varieties have two layers. Both types offer a thermal break and vapor-retarding effect.
Another type of bubble insulation is made of polyethylene bubbles, which are light and easy to handle. They also do not break in the wind. They are ideally suited for use in lofts, underneath floorboards, between wall cavities, boats, and motorhomes. The material has air bubbles that provide insulation against heat loss and are resistant to moisture, water, and corrosion.
Tin foil
If you’re looking for a cheap way to insulate your radiator, try using tin radiator foil insulation. It’s a good insulator, but it also serves another function: as a reflector. You can stick it to cardboard or foam board, which has insulating properties.
This foil can help save you 20 to 50 pounds a year by reflecting the heat away from the radiator. Tin radiator foil can be bought in the high street. Alternatively, you can buy specialist foil that will reflect the heat back into the room. The difference between the two is that the specialist foil works better on the external walls of the house.
Homemade foil is not as effective. It is only effective if the room does not have a cavity wall, and it will lose its reflective qualities over time. It will also need replacing every few years. If you’re looking for a permanent solution, you can buy pre-made panels. They cost less upfront and require less effort.
Reflectix(r) radiator foil insulation is a great choice for insulating your radiator. Its thin profile helps you save on heating bills by reflecting heat back into the room. Unlike mineral wool, it is breathable and flexible, which helps keep the room warmer, thus reducing your heating costs. And since it is so thin, you can easily cut it to size.
Tape
If you have a leaky radiator, it’s essential to find the right tape to seal it with. Foil tape is a great way to do this. This material can be found in a wide range of colors and is highly effective in insulating your radiator. It can also be used to protect hot pipes. Foil tape is also effective in dampening vibration and sound.
Many types of duct tape are available, including adhesive made of rubber. However, these aren’t the best choice for high-temperature applications, as they can delaminate from the backing. Additionally, synthetic rubber adhesives often have poor mechanical strength and are prone to aging and UV damage. Foil tape with an acrylic adhesive is a better choice because of its increased durability and longevity. It also offers greater thermal stability than pressure-sensitive tapes.
If you’re installing radiator foil insulation in a home, you’ll want to cut it to fit perfectly. To get the best fit, cut the foil panel to fit behind the radiator, but not so small that it’s not visible. Once you’ve cut the panel to fit, you can secure it with the included tape. Another way to secure it is to attach magnetic tape to the backside of the foil.
Radiator foil insulation is a simple and affordable way to improve the overall efficiency of your radiator. It reduces heat loss through the walls and reduces heating bills. Using a reflective foil insulation can even reflect heat back into the room, increasing its output by up to 5 degrees.
Suspension of brackets
Suspension of brackets for radiator insulation is not difficult if you are prepared to use some improvised materials. You can make a simple arrangement of two brackets and install them near the top edge of the radiator. The distance between brackets should be about 15cm (6″) in each direction. A simple rectangular panel should fit between these brackets and have a height of less than the height of the radiator. You can suspend the panel from the brackets using a bamboo kebab skewer or wooden cocktail stick.
If the bottom of the radiator is below the skirting board, you need to make a panel a little shorter. Also, the width depends on whether the panel is to be extended over the brackets or not. The width of the panel should be about 50 to 100mm less than the width of the radiator. Besides, it should also be around 12mm smaller than the width of the bracket.
To attach the brackets to the wall, use a plastic sheeting to protect it from adhesive. The plastic sheeting should extend 50mm below the top of the radiator. Then, attach the foil insulation by sliding it down the reflector. To ensure a good “stick,” use a broom, ruler, or Swiffer mop to press the foil against the wall.
FAQs
Does putting foil behind radiators really work? ›
Yes, they work very efficiently. Fitting a radiator reflector will reflect all that heat back into your room. Radiator reflectors will also reduce the energy needed to heat your home.
How much does foil behind radiators work? ›Harris reports that "reductions in the overall energy consumption of the [test] room of up to 6% were recorded by installing [plain] foil behind a radiator, while the heat loss through the area of wall immediately behind the radiator fell to less than 30% of the original value".
Can you put foil on a radiator? ›Radiator-reflector foil is one way to keep your house warm, it reflects radiator heat back into the room. “It's really simple to install behind radiators, a good idea to do it on radiators on external walls.”
What are the disadvantages of foil behind radiators? ›What are the disadvantages of putting foil behind radiators? Any disadvantages come down to whether you use standard kitchen tin foil or pre-made panels. Homemade foil becomes less effective over time because the material oxidises, crinkles easily and therefore becomes less reflective to heat radiation.
What is the foil trick for radiators? ›As a result of the cold weather, there has been a rise in hacks to help with heating and other bills. One of these is the viral “TikTok Heating Hack”. This involves taking tin foil, tearing a piece off and placing it just behind your radiator, reflecting the heat forwards.
Which side of tin foil reflects heat from radiator? ›Make sure that the dull side of the foil faces the wall. The reflective side should face out. You should feel a significant increase in heat. Radiator foil is also available at hardware stores.
How can I make my radiator more efficient? ›- Use reflectors and stop heating the streets. ...
- Regularly clean your radiator. ...
- Bring into play radiator additives. ...
- Check if there are any cold spots.
So, now that you know the reason behind the different appearances of the two sides, you're probably wondering if you should use aluminum foil with the shiny side up or down. Quite simply, it doesn't matter. Since the exact same material makes up both sides, they will perform precisely the same way.
Where do you put radiator foil? ›Radiator foils reflect radiant heat back into the room. They help to reduce energy loss and save you money on your annual fuel bill. Rooms may feel warmer after installing these foils so you could always turn down the thermostatic radiator valves. Only install this product behind radiators located on an OUTSIDE WALL.
How thick should radiator foil be? ›Product Size
The size of this product is 0.6m x 5m and 3mm thickness. It can meet the needs of most radiators, and the high-quality reflective insulation effect can maximize energy efficiency.
Why are radiators under windows? ›
This is because the heat in the room is easily lost through the thin glass which creates a cold area close to the window surface. By placing a radiator directly underneath the window, hot air is produced and released, which then rises to hit the cold air from the window.
Why not to cover a radiator? ›In a nutshell, poorly designed radiator covers can cause heat loss. Anything that blocks a radiator's airflow reduces its efficiency. Some radiator covers can actually trap heat and affect your thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) reading – confusing your entire central heating system.
Which side of radiator foil goes to the wall? ›Which side of the Radflek reflector should face the radiator? Radflek should be installed with the matt side facing the radiator and the shiny side with printing and Radflek branding on facing the wall. Although the shiny side reflects light better the matt side reflects heat more effectively.
What is the best insulation behind radiators? ›Silver foil placed down the back of a radiator will reflect heat back into a room rather than letting it uselessly escape through the walls of a house. Do-it-yourself buffs suggest wrapping the foil round pieces of cardboard which have been cut to the right size to make it easier to fit.
What insulating material for behind radiators? ›The type of insulation you will need is a foil faced expanded polystyrene lining. The insulation needs to be positioned on the wall directly behind the radiator. The nature of the insulation will mean that the escaping heat is reflected back into the room.
Which radiator foil is best? ›- Easiest radiator reflector to fit: Radflek Radiator Reflectors.
- Best bubble foil radiator reflector: SuperFOIL RadPack.
- Best magnetic radiator reflector: Warmroom magnetic foil radiator energy saver.
Behind Radiators
If you place Therma-Foil behind them not only will it further insulate your house. The foil layer will bounce the heat back into the room keeping you warmer for longer. Therefore, you won't need to have your heating on as high to be as warm in turn reducing your energy bills.
One simple solution to this problem is to insulate behind the radiators on the outside walls of your property, effectively reflecting the heat that is heading out of the wall, straight back into the house. This way you can use less energy to heat your home, and reduce your energy bills at the same time.
Which side of Reynolds wraps aluminum foil? ›Reynold's Kitchen, an aluminium foil manufacturer since 1947, says: "It's perfectly fine to place your food on either side so you can decide if you prefer to have the shiny or dull side facing out." It's simply a result of the manufacturing process. The performance of the foil is the same, whichever side you use.
Why does aluminum foil have a shiny side and a dull side? ›"The difference in appearance between dull and shiny is due to the foil manufacturing process," he said. "In the final rolling step, two layers of foil are passed through the rolling mill at the same time. The side coming in contact with the mill's highly polished steel rollers becomes shiny.
How can I make my radiators warmer? ›
- Check for Bigger Problems with Your Central Heating & Boiler. ...
- Check for Trapped Air and Bleed Your Radiators. ...
- Check Your Radiator Valves. ...
- Find Out if Your System Needs Powerflushing. ...
- Get the Help of a Professional Heating Engineer.
- Bleed your radiators. ...
- Give radiators room. ...
- Put reflective foil behind radiators. ...
- Put a shelf above radiators. ...
- Play with radiator valves.
Tinfoil behind radiators
By carefully putting tin foil behind each of your radiators, you can help to prevent unnecessary heat loss. Pay particular attention to those that are fitted to external walls. The reflective foil bounces heat back into the room rather than allowing it to escape through the wall.
According to Reynold's Kitchen, the difference in appearance between the two sides of aluminum foil is simply a result of manufacturing and serves no real purpose. Meaning, whether you are cooking your food with the shiny side up or the dull side up, you're doing it right.
Is tin foil and aluminum foil the same? ›Tin Foil vs.
Material makeup: Tin foil was made with thin leaf tin and sometimes combined with lead. Aluminum foil is made from an alloy that is between 92 and 99 percent aluminum. Cost: Aluminum foil is significantly cheaper to make than tin foil. As an added bonus, it's also more efficient and effective.
As aluminum is a poor insulator (a substance that doesn't allow passage of heat) so to make the foil more effective, place it (food wrapped in foil) in fiberglass or ceramic tiffin boxes. It doesn't only keep the food warmer for longer, but also keep things cold.
Does aluminum foil keep heat in or out? ›Aluminum foil on windows is most effective at keeping out heat and light when you place it shiny side out and cover its backside with a layer of something else, like insulation or cardboard.
Is it OK to turn off one radiator? ›Turning off individual radiators is like applying the breaks. The heat source will have to work hotter to put the required energy into the property! Yes, not as much energy (or speed) is needed, but the efficiency is lower which can cancel out any savings and potentially even cost more!
What temperature should Reynolds aluminum foil be? ›Yes, Reynolds Wrap® Non-Stick Aluminum Foil can take the high heat of the grill as well as the low temperatures of the freezer. It is safe at any temperature ranging from -40° F to 650° F. Reynolds Wrap® Non-Stick Aluminum Foil is a versatile tool for grilling.
Which radiators give out the most heat? ›Aluminium radiators provide the highest potential BTU output possible. That doesn't mean that every aluminium radiator has a higher heat output than every steel radiator, for example. But aluminium radiators have the greatest heat output potential of any type.
What is the best thermal reflector? ›
Mirror silver has the best thermal reflectivity (99%) and is generally used in scientific research, aviation, and other fields.
Should you hang curtains over radiators? ›It is safe to hang curtains over radiators. The main reason for this is that hot water radiators are not capable of reaching the temperature to create a fire hazard. It is more dangerous to leave other heat sources such as candles with open flames on the window near the curtains.
Why put a bowl of water under a radiator? ›Placing a bowl of water anywhere will increase the humidity. As the water evaporates, it will go into the air around the bowl. Being next to something warm like the radiator, the evaporation happens faster.
Should a radiator be touching the wall? ›A radiator should be positioned 2cm or more away from a wall. Our wall-mounted designer radiators come supplied complete with wall fixings, which will ensure your radiators are set at least 2cm from the wall once installed.
Why do you put cardboard on a radiator? ›The simple hack, which is often used by truck drivers, is to block the radiator to prevent cold air from getting to it. Use a piece of cardboard to cover up the grill or radiator to prevent the frigid outside air from blowing through it.
Should you put anything in front of a radiator? ›You shouldn't place furniture directly in front of a radiator. The furniture would prevent heat from being distributed freely throughout the room, and could be damaged over time from the close exposure to heat.
What can I put around a radiator? ›Add a shelf: To round out your cover display, consider creating a shelf on top of it. Again, wood is an excellent choice for covering the top of your cover and can create a cozy look. Finish it off with paint: Finally, you can lay a coat of paint on the radiator cover in a color of your choice.
What is the best material for radiator covers? ›Some builders offer DIY radiator cover plans and recommend using medium-density fiberboard (MDF). MDF is one of the best woods for radiator covers. This dense, synthetic wood composite is more stable when subjected to the radiator's heat spikes. Pine, popular, and birch are solid woods commonly used.
Why do people cover their radiators in the winter? ›A grille cover will help to keep the heat generated by the engine circulating around the engine bay, which means a warmer car interior. You'll use less energy heating your car this way, and therefore save money in the long run.
How to safely cover a radiator? ›Covering your radiator is completely safe. "Radiators only get as hot as about 215 degrees," Holohan says, "which isn't nearly hot enough to start a fire." However, be careful not to use certain synthetic fabrics (like fleece or polyester), which might melt. I'd recommend sticking with cotton or wool.
Is it safe to put tin foil behind radiator? ›
The main reason you should not use traditional kitchen foil behind your radiators is simply that it isn't designed for this purpose. These are the major reasons why aluminium foil is a bad idea (as opposed to purpose built radiator reflectors): Foil will crinkle and is unlikely to stay in the same position for long.
Does Aluminium foil insulate heat? ›Foil does not work by preventing the conduction of heat as other insulators do. It works by reflecting radiative heat back towards the source. So it drives your heat back into your home…and not out through itself and into the ether. Industry tests have shown that foil performs extremely well despite its low U Value.
Does foil insulation keep heat out? ›Unlike other insulation materials, foil insulation does not prevent the conduction of heat but reflects radiant heat back towards the source. Plus, it can drive heat out in summer and it can trap it inside during winter.
Which side of aluminum foil attracts heat? ›The reflective surface will reflect heat and the matte side will absorb heat. If you're baking or defrosting, the matte side will absorb more radiant heat and reflect less infrared heat while the shiny side will reflect more of both, so it makes more sense to bake and defrost with the matte side facing up.
Which side of aluminum foil to keep heat in? ›What Side Should We Use? As it turns out, there's no “correct” side of aluminum foil to use when cooking, so using it on either side is not one of the cooking mistakes that could ruin your food. They're both equally effective at heating your food, so just choose whatever side you prefer.
How do I maximize my radiator heat? ›Consider installing a radiator fan
Some are fitted beneath your radiator and blow air upwards, while others sit on top and do the same thing. Radiator fans can increase the amount of heat delivered to a room by improving the standard convection properties of your radiator.
Foil insulation is particularly effective at reflecting radiant heat, which can be beneficial in both summer and winter. However, in order for it to work effectively, there needs to be an air gap between the foil layer and the surface it's installed on.
What is the best homemade insulator? ›Sheep's wool makes ideal insulation because the fibers in the wool form millions of tiny air pockets that provide a natural thermo barrier. It's also water-resistant and fire retardant.
What is the best insulator in the world? ›Diamond is the best insulator as they do not have free electrons to move.
What is the R-value of foil insulation? ›Most brands of foil-faced bubble wrap are only 3/8 inch thick or less, and have an R-value of only 1.0 or 1.1.
Can you double layer foil insulation? ›
You can either install a single layer or multiple layers of foil insulation, and you can mix it with other products.