Energy consumption: Effectiveness of radiator reflectors

esperanza1

Like everyone right now, I am desperately trying to find ways of reducing my energy bill, not just because I need to save money but also because I want to reduce my energy consumption for other reasons.

I have heard that radiator reflectors can help to conserve heat in the room, by reflecting the heat away from the wall and into the room being heated. Can anyone who has installed these reflectors in their own house tell me if they have noticed a reduction in their energy bill?

For those not yet aware of these reflectors, you can find out all about them here:

http://www.cosyhomestore.ie/acatalog/RadiatorReflector.html

My partner who is an engineer claims adding a layer of tin foil behind the radiator has the same effect. Not so sure about that, so would appreciate any feedback so I can tell him I know better; ha ha!

keithclancy

esperanza1 wrote: »

Like everyone right now, I am desperately trying to find ways of reducing my energy bill, not just because I need to save money but also because I want to reduce my energy consumption for other reasons.

I have heard that radiator reflectors can help to conserve heat in the room, by reflecting the heat away from the wall and into the room being heated. Can anyone who has installed these reflectors in their own house tell me if they have noticed a reduction in their energy bill?

For those not yet aware of these reflectors, you can find out all about them here:

http://www.cosyhomestore.ie/acatalog/RadiatorReflector.html

My partner who is an engineer claims adding a layer of tin foil behind the radiator has the same effect. Not so sure about that, so would appreciate any feedback so I can tell him I know better; ha ha!

He's right, thats just a fancy Version of tinfoil, you could just stick some to cardboard, its fitted pretty much as standard now on all enclosed radiators in the Netherlands (Rad in a Wooden enclosure), makes sense, tinfoil reflects heat in, so it doesnt lose all the heat in the wall

Emergency Blanket for example is the same, just tinfoil.

Another tip for a Single Glazed window:
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/Conservation/bubblewrap.htm

Did this on my front door for the winter, plus fitted a rubber seal on the door and it makes a huge difference.

esperanza1

keithclancy wrote: »

He's right, thats just a fancy Version of tinfoil, you could just stick some to cardboard, its fitted pretty much as standard now on all enclosed radiators in the Netherlands (Rad in a Wooden enclosure), makes sense, tinfoil reflects heat in, so it doesnt lose all the heat in the wall

Emergency Blanket for example is the same, just tinfoil.

Another tip for a Single Glazed window:
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/Conservation/bubblewrap.htm

Did this on my front door for the winter, plus fitted a rubber seal on the door and it makes a huge difference.

Thanks a million for your help. So just some tin foil on a sheet of cardboard, seems like a cheaper option than buying the radiator reflectors so. On more question: is it necessary to change the tin foil on a regular basis?

marknine

esperanza1 wrote: »

Thanks a million for your help. So just some tin foil on a sheet of cardboard, seems like a cheaper option than buying the radiator reflectors so. On more question: is it necessary to change the tin foil on a regular basis?

LATS WEEK i bought two rolls of reflector that goes bhind the rads in Lidl for €7.99 a roll. I should get 5 rads per roll. Still in the car as I type this.
The answer to the question " is it necessary to change the tin foil on a regular basis?" NO The only time you will need to change the tin foil !if ever" is when you redecorate. I hope this is a wee bit help to you.

esperanza1

marknine wrote: »

LATS WEEK i bought two rolls of reflector that goes bhind the rads in Lidl for €7.99 a roll. I should get 5 rads per roll. Still in the car as I type this.
The answer to the question " is it necessary to change the tin foil on a regular basis?" NO The only time you will need to change the tin foil !if ever" is when you redecorate. I hope this is a wee bit help to you.

Thanks a million, marknine ! You're a star! I'll be telling everyone I know about this useful energy - and money - saving tip!

When you say reflector, you do mean tin foil, right?

marknine

esperanza1 wrote: »

Thanks a million, marknine ! You're a star! I'll be telling everyone I know about this useful energy - and money - saving tip!

When you say reflector, you do mean tin foil, right?

Regarding the rolls of rad foil I bought in Lidl €7.99 per roll . I dont think they will have it this week as it was one of their weekly offers. Worth looking though

esperanza1

marknine wrote: »

Regarding the rolls of rad foil I bought in Lidl €7.99 per roll . I dont think they will have it this week as it was one of their weekly offers. Worth looking though

Thank you, but meanwhile i have found out that the rad reflectors have no effect on the new radiators, only the old flat panel ones.

ZENER

I can understand why a reflector would be used on an adjoining wall between two houses but where rads are on internal walls is there really a point ?

Concrete isn't a great conductor of heat (fell the wall a foot either side of a rad) but the wall directly behind the rad would act like the blocks in a storage heater and radiate it out after the rads have cooled down ? Isn't that a good thing ?

How much can you really save by putting reflectors behind a rad ?

Ken

dudara

Moved to Plumbing & Heating

dudara

zom

ZENER wrote: »

Concrete isn't a great conductor of heat

Actually concrete is one of greatest conductors of heat used to build houses (it conducts better than grass or water). Warming up external concrete wall is 90% lose of energy.

Talking about heat reflector - it works only for radiated heat - not for convected heat as shown on http://www.cosyhomestore.ie/acatalog/RadiatorReflector6.jpg. But general rule is - if you radiator is hot from the back (you feel thermal radiation if you put your hand behind it) if is good to have tin foil on the wall.

Pity that modern storage heaters are mounted directly on the wall - if that's external, not great insulated wall, half of the heat is going out.