Reflective panels

David Nadle

I read in a Popular Mechanics book that up to 25% of a radiator's output goes through the wall and out of the house. They recommend putting a reflective material such as sheet metal or foil behind the radiator to reflect that back into the room.

For those in the trade, my question is: how often do you come across these in the field, and do you ever recommend them to customers?

KCA_2

My Office


Used to be out of a 1950's ranch home. We retrofitted the old (2) gravity furnaces with radiators and in-floor radiant heating.. I mean.. what else would I do..LOL..

Anyway.. When we installed the rads I made a point to install some al. foil. behind the rads and left one without to use as a bench mark.. Wonderful results..

I've also used in-wall radiant before and always use a reflective material between the system and the cold temp. whatever it might be....

Also I recommend painting the roof with a reflective paint before roofing..

Fun stuff...

:-) KC

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Ted G

I think this is especially important with radiator recessed into the walls. If you have insulated walls and rads on the inside, I see no reason for the reflective material.

TR

reflective panels

I moved into a house with steam radiators and the first thing I did was install 1/2 rigid foam insullation behind each one. The local home center had 4x8 sheets with an alumimum face on one side. I cut panels slightly larger than each radiator and slid them between the wall and the back of the radiator.

All I can tell you is that the rooms heated up just fine and the plaster walls behind the insualtion panels were always really cold. Give it a try - your heating bill will be lower but I have no way of knowing if 25% is the actual heat-loss.

TR