Reflectors behind cast iron pipes?

Profbeaton

Hi, I have a house with the old fashioned tall heaters..one pipe in at bottom. I am wondering if it is safe to put some kind of foil behind the heaters on the wall, to reflect heat back into the room instead of having it absorb into wall. REALLY new at this sort of thing. Don't know if there are existing products, or if I could just use alumium foil.

Thanks for any advice/sage words about these heaters. I love them (no clue what the official word for them is) and had them at my grandparents house when I was young. Great for drying out wet snowboots and mitts!

Jamie Hall

Do they have a vent thingy on the side opposite the pipe coming in at the bottom? About half way down or a little farther?

You can put reflectors behind them -- aluminium foil is just fine -- but honestly it won't do all that much. Won't hurt anything, either...

Profbeaton

I didn't see a vent...there is a knob at the bottom to let steam out. I really need to read up on this system.

Jamie Hall

Profbeaton said:

I didn't see a vent...there is a knob at the bottom to let steam out. I really need to read up on this system.

Indeed. That knob is certainly not to let steam out, whatever it is. If it's steam, may I humbly recommend getting a copy of "We Got Steam Heat", available from the shop on this web site?

Also, a picture or few of what you are dealing with would help.