Where is the best place to install a radiator reflector?

Author: Erling Abshire  |  Last update: Monday, February 24, 2025

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.

Is it worth putting reflective foil behind radiators?

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.

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.

Where is the best radiator positioning?

Radiators should be positioned under the window - placing opposite a window will result in colder air from the window being drawn across the room. If placing it under a window is not possible, the next bext place is on the wall that is at 90 degrees to the window.

Do radiator reflectors work on internal walls?

On external walls, tests have shown that it reduces heat leaking through the wall outside, stopping waste. On internal walls, it will have the same effect where the temperature of the space on the other side of the wall is low (such as in a hallway or a neighbouring home in a terrace).

#DIY- How Do You Install A Radiator Reflector Foil? - Do It Yourself - Orange Packaging

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.

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.

Where should you not put a radiator?

Keep it away from furniture

Wherever you choose to put it, try not to position your radiator behind large items of furniture, such as the sofa or cabinets.

Does radiator placement matter?

You need to remember that the position of a radiator affects its efficiency. The best place for a radiator is in the coldest part of the room. This used to be under windows. However, in more modern double-glazed homes, there may not be a cold area, so you can put radiators where they won't affect the use of walls.

How far should a radiator be from a 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.

Does cardboard behind the radiator help?

Corrugated cardboard is perfect for radiator reflectors because it is free, lightweight (you're going to hang it from the radiator brackets) and it provides some insulation – the proportion of heat from the radiator that passes through the reflective layer, the cardboard layer and the cold film of air behind the home- ...

How do you maximize heat from radiators?

Don't cover your radiators

Remove any objects on them or underneath them, whether that's clothes or furniture sitting too close. The reason to do this is that radiators work on the principle that warm air rises by natural convection.

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.

Do magnetic radiator reflectors work?

Tests conducted by Sheffield University have shown warmroom can reduce the heat lost through walls by up to 60% whilst simultaneously lowering carbon emissions by 19kg/m² per year.

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.

Why are heaters under windows?

Putting a radiator under the window helps to avoid cold draughts at foot level which would cause discomfort and would also help to make the temperature more equal at all levels in the room, again avoiding discomfort.

Where is the best place to install a radiator?

Try to put your radiators on walls that can't be used for things like storage and furniture, so that you don't take up valuable floor and wall space. Place it in the coldest part of the room (if there is one). This can cause more effective heat conduction.

Should you tuck your curtains behind radiators?

Don't tuck curtains behind the radiator, use tie backs instead. Pair floor length curtains with blinds for additional privacy and sunlight control. Install ceiling tracks to increase the distance from the radiator to the curtains.

Can you put a sofa against a radiator?

Preventing heat damage

It's recommended to maintain a gap of at least one foot (12 inches) between your furniture and radiators. However, for extra protection, you can also use insulated or reflective barriers as heat protectors to safeguard your furniture from the adverse impact of radiator heat.

What are the best radiators to buy?

Aluminium radiators are the best radiators for heat output because the metal is a superconductor. As a result, it heats rooms quicker and more efficiently than any of the other materials.

What should you not put around a radiator?

Chairs, sofas, couches, and other furniture will interfere with the circulation of heat generated from the unit. Items touching the radiator can also overheat and cause damage to the item or injuries and fire hazards for the people in the home.

Are radiator reflector panels worth it?

Energy Savings: A reflective shield can save a significant proportion of the heat that would otherwise be lost. It might reflect back 80-95% of the heat the wall would have absorbed.

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.

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