Reflective panels behind radiators

[frank horton]

foil only outside walls.....

 

[DanZac]

I always tuck the curtains in behind the radiators when we close them. Helps stop the heat dissapearing behind the curtains (maybe, but it keeps me happy even if it makes no difference)

 

[dave h 2]

When night storage was a thing in the 70's we had one against the outside wall.
House 3 months old and the rad feet were supposed to space it from the walls.
The wall plaster cracked like dried up mud behind it.

 

[gaz1]

I've lived in rental properties where the radiators were on internal walls instead of under the windows...I didn't think it worked very well. The rads seem to suck the cold window air across the floor!

Only issue with radiators under windows is long curtains I would have thought.

what you will find is most plumbers want to plumb in at the quickest possible place than to plumb pipes in under a window as its more work and its a speed thing and get to the next job

under the windows allows the rad to heat the cold coming in air from the window to be heated and that rises infront of the curtains warming up infront of them and into the room

when the rad is far away it takes longer to heat up under the window as thats the coldest spot in a house you see it alot of thermal cameras the windows are allowing heat to escape

 

[ms08]

Putting rads under windows is to assist with preventing condensation issues where moisture is condensing against the glass (cold surface) to dry the air before it settles on other surfaces.

 

[RichardM]

What I found helped, maybe psychological dont know but a shelf a few inches above the rad but supported on a long strip of metal with 2 45 degree bends along the length, one side screw to the wall the other screwed to the shelf, really seemed to funnel the air into the room rather than straight up the wall

We have a shelf above the radiator to stop the heat going straight up to the lounge window, even wifey says it has made a difference since I did it.

 

[bricol]

Curtains that drape over radiators allow your cat to get up in the lining of the curtain and be lovely and warm

Both complain loudly when I turf them out and tuck the curtains up on the window cill

 

[Farside]

Where possible, I've fitted Bacofoil to the wall behind a radiator.
It works.

 

[Morrisman]

Facebook, 3 times already today……

 

[Gareth J]

Warmer walls make for a more comfortable living experience. It's why you can come into a house, when the ambient outdoor temperature is 20+C and be comfortable with the indoor air temperature at 18C (or whatever). While now, the kitchen is reading 22C and I'm comfortable enough in jumper and slippers but despite the warmer room air temperature, it feels cooler.

Warmer walls (and windows) radiate heat more to you.

Therefore, it's hard to quantify any savings. But probably makes sense as the marginally reduced heat loss from directly behind the rad should help raise the temperatures of the rest of the walls/room air.

Definitely an uncomfortable idea to only heat the internal walls though in my opinion

 

[gaz1]

if you want to save energy more you would be far better off fitting a thin plate at the rear of the rad therefore it gets heated itself and therefore heat starts to rise and its far better than a reflective sheet

 

[Seadog]

The effectiveness of underfloor heating lies in the fact that you have warm air from ground level.

 

[addjunkie]

The effectiveness of underfloor heating lies in the fact that you have warm air from ground level.

And wet pipes under the complete insulated floor area. Worth every penny fitting it if your doing new build or big makeover

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Where possible, I've fitted Bacofoil to the wall behind a radiator.

Waste of perfectly good hat making material if you ask me

 

[keithski122]

The effectiveness of underfloor heating lies in the fact that you have warm air from ground level.

Not so easy to dry your clothes on though.

 

[jenki]

In response to NDIY Yes 60's cavity wall and external render. Cavity filled with Rockwool