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With energy bills rising by another £149 this winter and millions of state pensioners facing the loss of their automatic £300 Winter Fuel Payments, many households across the UK – both working and retired – will be looking for ways to save on bills this winter.
Everything from boiler changes to thermostat settings is worth scrutinising this year – but there are still some things you can do once every last bit has been squeezed from adjusting all your appliances.
And one tip that can be used by state pensioners and working people alike includes using tin foil or kitchen foil behind your radiators, which heating experts say can reduce heat loss in your house by up to 45 percent.
Tin foil, or aluminium foil as it’s sometimes known, works by reflecting heat in the same way foil is used on spaceships.
The foil bounces heat lost behind the radiator back into the room, saving it from going to waste in your wall.
Home energy experts Energy Guide.Org advise that you don’t necessarily need to splash out on custom made or special high end radiator reflectors – a simple roll of tin foil may do almost the same job.
They said: “Specialised reflective foil, designed to redirect warmth back into your living space, is an effective strategy to conserve heat and provide insulation.
“This method is particularly beneficial for external walls, where it helps to minimise heat loss. Enhancements like shelves or fans above radiators can further help to circulate warm air back into the room.
“For a DIY approach, you can attach foil to cardboard panels and place them behind radiators, ensuring the reflective side faces the room.
“Double-sided adhesive pads can also help to secure these panels in place.”
While this is cheap and cheerful strategy, you’ll get even better results with proper bespoke radiator reflectors.
They added: “Placing foil behind radiators can reflect heat into living spaces, potentially saving on heating bills, especially effective on external walls.
“However, kitchen foil isn’t ideal as it degrades and crinkles over time. Specialised radiator reflectors like Radflek are more durable and effective.
“Research indicates these can significantly reduce heat transfer and provide real-term savings, with the amount saved varying by property type and wall insulation.
“The British Board of Agrément confirms that Radflek can reduce heat transfer by up to 45%.”