Reflective foil behind radiators

[jalopy]

Anyone done this?

How effective is it?

How difficult is it to apply and stick?

Thanks

I've moved into houses owned by old people that have done this. I don't think it makes no difference whatsoever.

I've done a bit of this, then stopped.

I was using foil bonded to polystyrene veneer. It's a bugger to get to stick all over, and I have problems with black mould anyway. The thought of a creating a poorly ventilated but not actually sealed space between the foil and an extra cold bit of wall: nah.

Might not be so dodgy in your place, but can't comment on actual efficiency.

I don't think it makes any difference...

My dad gave me a roll so it's behind all of my radiators. Mine is just cut and resting on the bits that hold the radiator up, not stuck to the wall.

It's all got to help, right?

yes it helps especially on outside walls

google for images from heat sensitve cameras showing the outside of houses when the radiators are on under windows etc

lots of heat lost

Thanks all.

I was told by someone (can't remember who) that there's not much point using it on internal walls, as the heat isn't being lost to the outside anyway.

No point whatever on internal walls, unless between a room you keep v warm and a room you're happy to have cold.

Also thermal pic only meaningful if you have Before & After pics. You probably are losing heat through an outside wall behind a radiator, but how much depends on the construction of the wall and it's not clear how much the foil reduces this.