Foil behind baseboard radiators???

Al Letellier_9

Because heat does not rise. It radiates from its source in ALL directions. The reflector is there for just that purpose.... to reflect the heat away from the outside wall and into the living space/

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Tim_50

Foil behind baseboard radiators???

How important is it to have foil or some other kind of reflective material behind a baseboard radiator???

Empire_2

AL,....New law's in the books...:=)

Heat does not rise? New to me... All due respect, but it sure does....... It does radiate from it's source in all directions, but in this case through convection, it transfers its energy to the aluminum fins surrounding the typical baseboard set up. Since baseboards are set up to transfer its heat energy to the air thru convection it must rise since the air being passed over it rises or circulates up and out to the medium conveying the heat.

I do agree that the assistance of foil backing MAY help, but not substantially, this is not radiant heat and at it's current operating temps will prove to be null as far as adding any measurable benefits.

In addition Al: Maybe I am missing something, please correct me if I am blowing hot air....lol.

I do know the first 2 law's of thermoDynamics: 1). energy cannot be created nor destroyed, But only transferred, 2). Heat flows to cooler areas....or something like that.

Al I am looking to be corrected or confirmed as I to need to keep learning, so I hope you understand my .02 cents...

Mike T.

Robert O'Brien

Al

is correct,warm air is lighter and rises.Radiation will travel in any direction

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bob_50

Tim

in my neck of the woods it is standard procedure to install foil faced kraft paper behind cast iron baseboard. It accomplishes three things. It reflects heat into the room, it reduces heat loss by retarding heat flow into the cold outside wall,and we always ran the foil higher than the baseboard and folded it down on top of the baseboard before the trim carpenter installed his molding. After the molding is installed you trim the excess. This prevents streaking up the wall.