Reflective insulation behind steam radiators

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Reflective insulation behind steam radiators

Reflective insulation behind radiators makes steam-heating systems more efficient.

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innkeeper

Tey also prevent uninsulated plaster walls from blistering due to condensation.

Stuart Rogers

My 4-storey brick apartment building was built in 1925 and is heated by steam. Ten years ago I did a test with Novitherm panels behind one rad in my own apartment. Infrared measurements showed an approx. increase in the maximum temperature of the rad cabinet grill of 17 deg. F. We had to lower the thermostat on that rad to be comfortable in the room thereafter (and that was with panels installed behind only the top half of the rad!). I convinced the board to install the panels throughout the building. The panels have more than paid for themselves in lower gas bills over the decade. (If you'd like a copy of my report to the board, let me know.)

Hydronicolic

I did the same thing on the back of my baseboard element. I spoke to an application engineer at TVM years ago. He told me as long as you have an air space even plain Reynolds Wrap on a sidewall has an "Equivalent" R-Value of approx. R-7. I tested that claim with an infrared thermometer and it held true. Who knew.

motoguy128

I put some Reflectix behind a couple radiators when I first moved Doesn’t really look all that great, but I suspect it helps quite a bit. Especially with solid brick exterior walls with just a 1” air gap between the interior course and the exterior course and face brick.