UK households urged to place foil behind their radiators

After a confirmed 2% rise to the energy price cap in October - pushing the average household's energy bills to £1,755 annually from the current £1,720 - every penny saved can go a long way for people residing in the UK. Fortunately, a heating specialist has offered a secret hack during this period when families are grappling with escalating financial pressure.

The expert has unveiled a budget-friendly albeit unusual trick to cut down on energy bill costs generated from radiators during the winter months. The simple trick involves using kitchen foil behind radiators. Oliver Osmore, Managing Director at Maintracts Services, explains how the straightforward technique reflects heat back into rooms instead of allowing it to escape through walls. The London-based expert reveals that the method uses ordinary aluminium foil or purpose-made radiator reflector panels placed behind radiators - particularly those on external walls where most heat loss occurs.

"Radiators emit heat in all directions, but when they're placed against external walls, significant warmth is lost through the brickwork," Osmore explains.

He highlights that the reflective material creates a barrier that redirects heat that would otherwise be wasted. The expert shares: "By placing foil behind the radiator, heat that would normally escape gets bounced back into your living space."

The heating expert, whose family-run business marked 50 years serving London last year, observes this straightforward modification works most effectively with conventional radiators rather than contemporary convection varieties.

Oliver states: "For maximum benefit, make sure the foil extends the full height and width of the radiator, and secure it properly to avoid air gaps. Standard kitchen foil can work, though dedicated reflective panels tend to last longer and provide slightly better results."

The specialist reveals that warmth naturally travels from heated zones to colder areas, with as much as 40% of radiator heat commonly wasted through exterior walls.

"People often ask why their heating bills remain high despite having radiators running constantly. The answer frequently lies in heat loss through poorly insulated walls," he reveals.

The foil method proves especially beneficial in period properties featuring solid walls and limited insulation, where thermal loss tends to be most significant.

Studies undertaken by the University of Sheffield, highlighted on the UK Green Building Council website, validate these assertions. Trials demonstrated reflective panels can cut heat loss through walls by as much as 60%.

The research calculated that reflective solutions conserve roughly 30W for a typical 600x600mm radiator, with heat transfer from radiator to wall declining by more than three quarters when reflective materials were employed.

Oliver recommends pairing this method with additional energy-saving strategies for optimal outcomes. The specialist reveals: "While the foil trick helps considerably, it works most effectively alongside proper insulation, draught-proofing, and regular boiler maintenance. Small changes add up, and together they can dramatically reduce energy consumption."

The heating expert claims this modest investment could result in yearly savings of up to 20% on heating bills, making it amongst the most cost-effective energy-saving methods available.

"The materials cost very little, installation takes minutes, and you start saving money right away," Oliver concludes. "Few home improvements offer such an immediate return on investment."