Welcome! Here are the website rules, as well as some tips for using this forum.
Need to contact us? Visit https://heatinghelp.com/contact-us/.
Click here to Find a Contractor in your area.

Reflective material

Material. Has anyone found a good thin reflective material for behind radiators

Comments

  • David Nadle
    David Nadle Member Posts: 624
    Aluminized Mylar

    Metallized PET film won't tear like foil and can be adhered to the wall or removable 1/8" hardboard panels. McMaster-Carr has it.
  • john_122
    john_122 Member Posts: 15
    reflective material

    Jamie...I went with the foil on one side and kraft paper on the back...you can find it on the net in 1000' roles for 10-20 cents a square foot. We purchased a truckload a couple years back and it works well for us. I can show you a role if you need to see it...John
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    Is this the same John

    of Laurier? 
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • john_122
    john_122 Member Posts: 15
    reflective material

    it is....still dreaming of inventing a vacuum system so I can generate steam at 170 degrees!
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    Well it's good

    to hear from you!! How ya been?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • john_122
    john_122 Member Posts: 15
    reflective material

    we've been well. Been playing around with solar hot water for pool use . Our primary concern is still the Winter load, which is why I've been reading up on the use of vacuum in steam systems. It seems the problem is in intermittent firing(hence the use of Gorton's, but why not have something wired to startup which helps to pull air out of the system, and which then shuts off(after 5 minutes or so. THis would further spreed steam to the radiators. But the Holy Grail is still steam at 170 degrees-that's what I'm after. Thoughts?
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    The Broomell system

    originally routed air into the chimney, where the draft produced a slight vacuum that helped pull air from the system. Any more than that though, and the water seals would be sucked dry from too much ΔP across them, which would cause banging etc. You'd really need to change to thermostatic traps if you wanted to pull more vacuum. Of course, this would result in much more mechanical complexity and more repairs down the road.



    It might be more practical to invest in some TRV kits for your rad valves. These are used to keep certain rooms such as bedrooms cooler than the main living areas of the house. I believe Tunstall can supply these as they do for most Vapor valves.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • Therm_lag
    Therm_lag Member Posts: 30
    stick em up

    When reflector will be unobtrusive, including within/behind radiator enclosure, I've used "broiler" rated foil and FSK-like foil that has reinforcement, both of which are less crinkly (sp?) than standard aluminum foil.  Broiler foil can be stretched tight & tacked at corners with double-faced foam tape as marketed to hang pictures.   
This discussion has been closed.