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Radiator reflectors are a fantastic way to keep your home heating running more efficiently for a fraction of the cost compared to wall insulation or upgrading to more energy efficient radiators (source) – simply install them behind the radiator to reflect heat back into the room instead of being absorbed into the wall.
Now that winter is here, and the UK energy crisis becoming more and more worrisome, these foil radiator reflectors are becoming an increasingly popular solution to keeping your home heating efficient and economical in 2023. In this article, we explore the top reflectors on the market today.
We’ve carefully gone through the best radiators reflectors that we could find on the internet and organized them into the top 3 contenders – based on price competitivity, product performance, features and customer reviews.
So go ahead, grab a cup of tea and take a few minutes to discover our top pics – At Heat Adviser, we find the best radiators and heating accessories on the market; providing pros and cons for each product so that you can make an informed decision on your purchase.
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Our Top 3 Foil Radiator Reflectors
1. Radflek Radiator Reflector Kit
The best radiator reflector on the market is the nifty radiator reflector kit from Radflek which provides enough reflective foil to insulate between 3-6 radiators in your home (depending how large they are of course).
Astonishingly, Radflek says that these foil radiator panels can reflect up to 95% of the heat coming off the back of the radiator back into the room. So you can be sure that this product is an excellent choice for running your heating system more efficiently.
Not only will you feel more heat coming from your radiators, but the fact that the heat is being distributed more efficiently, you’ll find that your thermostat ‘clicks’ off sooner – saving you money on your utility bills. They’re also super easy to install – simply stick them behind the radiator and away you go!
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.
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2. SuperFOIL Reflective Radiator Insulator Foil
Coming in second place, this versatile foil reflector from SuperFOIL missed out on the top spot, but only just! It’s still a fantastic option for those looking to improve radiator efficiency .
So, what’s so great about this reflector kit? Well, first things first – it comes with a 3mm bubble layer and can be easily cut to size – no matter how large or small your radiators are.
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
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.
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!
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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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 tin foil behind radiators work?
A DIY tin foil radiator reflector can work to some extent, but it’s not as efficient or durable as commercial radiator reflectors. So you might want to consider purchasing a commercial radiator reflector if you’re looking for a more effective solution to reduce your heating costs and increase the energy efficiency of your home. It’s important to note that the largest benefit seen with radiator reflectors is on for radiators which are placed on external walls.
What are the disadvantages of foil behind radiators?
The main disadvantage of using radiator reflectors or foil behind a radiator is that they can have a negative impact on the aesthetic of your home. They are not known for being stylish, however, most radiator reflectors can be cut to size so that the reflective surface is fully hidden behind the radiator. This way you can ensure that the reflectors won’t affect the overall design of your home.
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.
