Reflected heat

[codswallop]

I f I put a reflective material such as tin foil between my radiators and the walls that they are mounted on would there be any beneficial warmth gain in my rooms? Or would the heat just "bounce" between the rad. and the wall in the semi-enclosed space?? Thanks!!

[heathfield]

Placing a reflective panel behind central heating radiators is recommended by all energy saving advisors. Yes, it will increase the 'warmth gain' in your rooms. Heat 'bouncing' between wall and radiator is going to heat the air between them more than before. Convection will carry this warmed air into the rest of the room.

[buildersmate]

It works best on the rads that are on external walls since it reduces the heat loss through the wall to the outside.

[codswallop]

Thanks to you both that was the type of confirmation I was hoping to hear!!

[bushbaby_de]

does it work with storage heaters too?

[johnk]

It will work with all heaters, most efficient on outside walls, not really worth ndoing on internal walls

[KARL]

If your external walls are well insulated then any gain will be minimal-to negligible because the material between paint/wallpaper and insulation will quickly reach a stable temperature and this is in any case "internal" rather like internal walls which is part of your living space and does not lose heat significantly to the outside. If your house is in the UK then, unless you have definite proof that the walls are well insulated, then assume they are not - almost all housing here from the year dot right up to date has no insulation in walls and the rest is woefully poor in this area. Using foil, heating items of furniture (beds, tables), etc., etc. is pretty much a uniquely British approach very strange to foreigners but brought on through necessity here via poor housing and traditionally ineffective heating.