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Radiator reflectors are a fantastic way to improve your home heating efficiency without the high costs associated with wall insulation or upgrading to more energy-efficient radiators. These simple devices, often made from radiator reflector foil, work by reflecting heat back into the room, reducing heat loss through the walls and enhancing the effectiveness of your radiators (source).
What is the best radiator reflector?
The best radiator reflector is Radflek, recommended by the Energy Saving Trust. It reflects 95% of heat back into the room and is known for its easy installation and quick payback period, typically within a year. Other top options include SuperFOIL and BLOSTM
With winter fast approaching and the weather becoming cooler and cooler each week, finding cost-effective ways to reduce heating bills has become more important for UK residents. Radiator reflector panels, such as the ones we’ve reviewed, have emerged as a popular solution in 2024, offering a quick, affordable way to boost heating efficiency.
In this guide, we’ll explore what is the best radiator reflector foil available today. After extensive research, we’ve narrowed it down to the top 3 options, carefully chosen based on price, product performance, customer reviews, and additional features like ease of installation and durability. Read on to find out which one came out on top!
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Our Top 3 Foil Radiator Reflectors This 2024
1. Radflek Radiator Reflector Kit
The Best Overall Radiator Reflector for Efficiency & Value 🏆
Radflek is widely acknowledged to be the best radiator reflector in the UK. It’s an excellent all-rounder that provides enough radiator reflector foil to insulate between 3-6 radiators, while Radflek claims their reflectors can reflect up to 95% of the heat emitted from the back of the radiator, meaning less heat is lost through the walls and more is directed into the room.
Beyond enhanced warmth, the Radflek reflectors also help your heating system operate more efficiently. By reflecting heat back into the room, the temperature rises faster, so your thermostat shuts off sooner, helping you save on energy costs.
If you’re wondering… do radiator reflectors work? Radflek’s performance is backed by thousands of satisfied customers. This particular product has over 2,130 reviews with an average score of 4.3/5 which is not only impressive but equally reassuring. So you know that these reflectors are tried, tested and loved by existing customers. Check them out here.
Environmental Impact:
On top of this, Radflek claims that their reflectors can help save up to 9kg of CO2 per year per radiator and reduce energy consumption by 83kWh annually, potentially saving you around £8.30 per sheet.
Durability:
Another major plus is Radflek’s durability. The reflectivity of the radiator foil is guaranteed to last up to 60 years, making this a long-term investment in your home’s energy efficiency.
Installation:
Installation is simple and hassle-free – just stick the reflectors behind the radiator using the included clips, and they will remain out of sight while improving your home’s warmth.
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2. SuperFOIL Reflective Radiator Insulator Foil
Best for Durability and Insulation
The SuperFOIL Reflective Radiator Insulator Foil takes second place in our list for 2024, narrowly missing out on the top spot. What sets SuperFOIL apart is its 3mm thick bubble layer, which provides added radiator insulation. This thickness can help trap more heat compared to other flat foil radiator reflector panels, making it a great choice for boosting radiator efficiency.
Energy Savings:
SuperFOIL also claims to reflect 95% of heat and is recognized as a #1 best-seller in the “Household Insulation” category on Amazon. Its insulating properties not only improve heat retention but can also save energy by up to 6% when used with proper insulation. This makes it one of the best radiator reflector foil products available for those prioritizing efficiency.
Durability:
The thicker, bubble-like design gives it a more durable feel, making it a longer-lasting solution for homes looking to improve radiator efficiency. However, the bulkier composition means it may be a snug fit behind smaller radiators, but it’s an excellent option for larger radiators or homes needing stronger radiator insulation.
Installation:
This radiator reflector foil can be cut to size and fitted using the included self-adhesive pads. The process is simple, and SuperFOIL also provides an easy-to-follow installation video, making it accessible even for DIY novices.
Whilst it is slightly more expensive than the Radflek (a couple of pounds at the time of writing), it’s also got almost twice as many reviews. So if you’re looking for the premium product on this list, this might be the best option for you – 4,840 people can’t be wrong, with an average score of 4.4/5! Check it out here.
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3. BLOSTM Bubble Foil Insulation
Highest Rated by Customers
Last but not least on our top radiator reflectors list is this 5m x 60cm reflective bubble foil from BLOSTM.
As you’ll notice, this product is somewhat similar to the SuperFOIL kit above – with a bubble layer for added insulation and an easy-cut design, this makes for another great DIY solution to make your radiators more efficient. They also claim a 97% efficiency for reflecting the heat behind the radiator, which is 2% more than the other two products.
Customer Feedback:
With little variation on the product functionality itself, the deciding factor came down to customer reviews. In this case, the BLOSTM reflector foil had the highest average score of the three products; scoring 4.6/5. However, this came from fewer reviews in total, at 426 reviews. This is still extremely good though, so certainly nothing to be scoffed at!
Installation:
Much like the SuperFOIL, BLOSTM’s insulation is easy to cut to size, making it adaptable to radiators of various sizes. Whether you’re looking for radiator reflector foil b&m or a high-end option like BLOSTM, its affordability combined with high performance makes it one of the best DIY solutions for improving your heating efficiency.
So whilst not quite as popular as the first two products on our list – it did come out on top in terms of the average customer rating. Check them out here.
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How Radiator Reflectors Save Energy
Radiator reflector foil is designed to reflect heat back into the room, reducing the amount of heat lost through walls. When installed properly, it can prevent up to 95% of heat loss, improving radiator efficiency and reducing energy consumption by up to 6%. This is particularly effective in homes where radiators are placed on external walls, where heat loss is more common.
According to environmental studies, using radiator reflector panels in conjunction with other energy-saving measures, such as proper insulation, can significantly reduce heating costs. In homes with radiators placed on external walls, reflectors are especially beneficial, as they prevent heat from escaping to the outside.
How to Choose the Best Radiator Reflector
When selecting a radiator reflector, consider the following:
- Material Type: Some reflectors, like Radflek, are made from flat, laminated radiator reflector foil, while others, like SuperFOIL and BLOSTM, feature bubble wrap-like designs for added radiator insulation.
- Ease of Installation: Reflectors can come with self-adhesive pads, clips, or even magnetic backing (like Warmroom’s magnetic reflectors), which is ideal for renters or those who prefer easy removal.
- Coverage Area: Reflectors come in different sizes and kits. For example, Radflek covers 5-10 radiators with one kit, whereas SuperFOIL is slightly more limited in coverage, so assess how many radiators you need to cover before buying.
Do radiator reflectors work?
Yes, radiator reflectors do work well to improve radiator efficiency. The effectiveness of radiator reflectors has been studied in environmental chamber experiments, where it was found that the heat loss through the area of wall immediately behind the radiator fell to less than 30% of the original value when a foil was installed. This helps to increase the efficiency of the heating system and can lead to reductions in overall energy consumption of up to 6%. Thus, radiator reflectors are a cost-effective solution for reducing heating costs and maintaining comfortable temperatures in your home.
Are radiator reflectors worth it?
In general, radiator reflectors are worth the investment as they can be a cost-effective solution for reducing heating costs. This is especially true for households where conventional methods of cutting down heating costs, such as insulating lofts and cavity walls and fitting double glazing, involve considerable capital outlay. Experiments carried out in environmental chambers have shown that installing radiator reflectors can lead to reductions in overall energy consumption of up to 6%, so your initial investment can be recouporated fairly swiftly.
How do radiator reflectors save energy?
Radiator reflectors save energy by reflecting heat back into the room rather than allowing it to escape through the walls behind the radiator. This increases the effectiveness of the heating system by directing more heat into the room, which can lead to lower heating costs. However, it is important to note that, while radiator reflectors can help to increase the efficiency of your heating system, they should be used in conjunction with other energy-saving measures such as proper insulation, to achieve optimal results.
Does aluminium foil work behind radiators?
Aluminum foil behind radiators can reflect some heat back into the room, but it is less effective than purpose-built radiator reflector foils. While it offers a temporary solution, it lacks the durability and insulation efficiency of commercial products.
What are the disadvantages of foil behind radiators?
The main disadvantages of foil behind radiators include potential moisture buildup, which can cause mould, and the foil’s limited effectiveness in poorly insulated homes. Additionally, foil may degrade over time or become dislodged, reducing its heat-reflecting ability.
Looking To Boost Radiator Efficiency Even Further…?
The combination of a radiator reflector with a booster fan can drastically increase the efficiency of your radiators!
Radiator booster fans are also a great option for increasing the efficiency of your central heating radiators, as they gently redirect the flow of hot air into the center of the room instead of radiating up and into the wall.
