Do magnetic radiator reflectors work?

Author: Mr. Nickolas Thiel PhD  |  Last update: Tuesday, March 10, 2026

"Radiator reflectors only really work well when radiators are really hot and the wall behind is cold," explains David Hilton, a renewables and ventilation installer, with over 35 years experience.

Do radiator reflectors actually work?

Yes, using reflective foil on the back of a radiator is a good idea as it can cut energy bills because it reduces heat lost into the wall and optimises the heat in the room, meaning your radiators make more of an impact and need to be on for less time than without the foil to achieve the same results.

Does magnetic radiator foil work?

Excellent product with been magnetic foil fitted easley onto the back of the radiators can't tell they are there. The radiators on the outside wall definitely reflect the heat back in. Great product - easy to apply, does the job, amazing. I found it very good that you do not have to bother with a double sided tape.

What is the most efficient radiator reflector?

Radflek is one of the easiest and most cost effective methods of energy saving in the home - at least 23% more efficient than louvered or saw toothed radiator reflector panels and quicker and easier to install.

How much heat do radiator reflectors save?

Radiator Foil

Reflects up to 95% of the heat back into the room. Prevents heat loss through the wall. Made of high-quality laminated aluminum with bubble foil and an anti-oxidation coating. Easy to cut and apply.

Warmroom® Magnetic Radiator Heat Saver - Heat Your Room Not Your Wall

What are the disadvantages of foil behind radiators?

Tinfoil isn't rigid enough to slide easily behind any radiators so you would need to remove them from the wall to get tinfoil installed. Also, tinfoil creases very easily and it looks terrible. So if the radiator is in an area where it is seen you want something more aesthetically pleasing.

Where is the best place to install a radiator reflector?

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.

Which is the most effective reflector?

The most popular are sunfire and soft silver. Soft silver is 50% silver and 50% white, whereas a sunfire is stripes of silver and gold. Sunfire reflectors are, in my opinion, probably the most useful of all reflectors and certainly create a very pleasing effect.

What is the best thing to put behind a radiator to reflect heat?

Radiator foil and radiator heat reflector foil are essential materials for improving energy efficiency in homes. Designed to reduce heat losses by reflecting heat back into the room, these foils are highly effective when placed behind radiators.

Are radiator reflectors any good on Reddit?

Radiation only makes up a small part of the heating and as such the usefulness of a reflective foil directly behind the radiator is limited (but not zero). When insulating your home, you should take care of all three forms of heat transfer.

Do magnetic radiator covers stop heat?

Results from this study confirm the findings of the CIBSE that there is a significant reduction in heat output, reached up to 40%, when using the timer casing, however when replaced with the new magnetic cover the reduction in heat out dropped to 11% only.

Can I put magnets on my radiator?

The magnets may not stay on a radiator with a small flat surface with lots of rotation. The housing is not suitable for old ribbed radiators. The product can withstand temperatures up to 50 degrees (at higher temperatures, deformation may occur, the magnet may warp).

How thick should radiator foil be?

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. Mesure your radiator and your foil. Cut the foil according to handles of the radiator.

Does putting curtains behind radiators work?

This reverses or neutralises the draught, thus giving a much more even distribution of heat in the room, hopefully without draughts. Sadly, windows are a great way to waste heat irrespective of radiator placement. Thick curtains are a great aid to fuel economy, but remember to tuck them in behind the radiator!

Are radiator reflectors worth it?

The purpose of radiator reflectors is to reflect any heat that would otherwise be lost through the wall back into the room. This should increase the efficiency of your radiators — something you will no doubt be keen to do if you have gone to the effort of insulating a wall in the first place.

How do I stop my radiator heat from going behind my curtains?

Make sure the bottom of the curtains sit at least 4 cm above the top of the radiator. Always keep the curtains open when the heating is on. Don't tuck curtains behind the radiator, use tie backs instead.

What is the best radiator heat reflector?

Radflek is a revolutionary energy saving radiator reflector that reflects 95% of the wasted heat energy radiated from the rear of a radiator back into your room. It is strongly recommended that you measure your radiators prior to purchase to ensure you buy the correct pack size.

What is the best heat reflector?

Top 3 Best Heat-Reflecting Materials
  • Introduction to Heat Reflective Materials.
  • TOP3 Glass Panel with Reflective Coating(73%)
  • TOP2 Aluminum Foil(97%)
  • TOP1 Most Reflective Material: Mirror Silver(99%)

How do I choose a reflector?

The color of the reflector also influences the quality of the light. They usually are white, silver, or gold. White and silver reflectors don't alter the color of the light, while gold ones make the light look slightly warmer (e.g., sunset light). Of all colors, silver has the highest reflectivity.

Which is a good reflector of heat radiation?

A white and smooth surface is a bad absorber and a good reflector of heat. Shiny surfaces are poor absorbers of heat radiation and the best reflectors of heat radiation. Black surfaces are the best emitters and best absorber of heat radiation.

What can I put behind my radiator to reflect heat?

There are two types of foil you can put behind your radiators: regular kitchen foil and specialised radiator reflector foil.

How much energy do radiator reflectors save?

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".

Does silver foil behind radiators work?

Well as mentioned before, yes it does! Radiator foil helps bring heat back into the room by reflecting heat off the foil behind your radiator. Two types of foil can be utilised behind radiators: conventional kitchen foil and dedicated radiator reflector foil.

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