As forecasters predict a chiller than average Winter and energy prices continue to rise, it has never been a more crucial time for us to get to grips with keeping heat in our homes and the costs down.
Unfortunately, due to the number of aging properties that we have in the UK, many of our homes are not great at retaining heat and subsequently we end up paying for heat that escapes into the streets.
With up to 25% heat loss through loft/roof space and up to 33% heat loss through uninsulated walls, home insulation is a must if we want to make a substantial difference (up to £120 each year can be saved on a typical home’s fuel bill).
But what if you live in a rented property and are unable to implement these larger scale energy efficient measures? What can you do to make a significant saving on your energy bills and keep snug in winter?
One simple, low cost way to reduce heat escaping through your walls is to install radiator reflector panels, like Radflek. Made using a specially laminated aluminium foil, Radflek radiator reflectors are designed to fit behind your radiators and reflect heat that would normally be wasted on heating the wall.
With radiators typically directing up to 40% of their heat the wrong way, Radflek Radiator Reflectors reflect 95% of this heat back into the room, allowing you to turn the thermostat down and save on your bills without comprising on comfort.
Radflek kindly sent some for me to review and here’s what I found:
• Easy to install?
Very easy, it only took me a matter of minutes to measure, cut, fold and position in place my first radiator reflector.
• Quality
The aluminium membrane/sheets appear tough and durable, they are easy to cut with scissors, yet cannot be torn by hand. Radflek state their panels are made from a ‘seven layer laminated aluminium membrane’ which is coated in a unique high reflectivity coating with a certified lifetime of at least 60 years. Which means, unlike kitchen foil, it will not oxidize over time.
One comment I would make about the product is that ‘clips’ which are used as supports, look very much like document binders. Does this matter? Well not really, they are easy to use and do the job, the only reason I mention it is because I expected something more high tech. Perhaps that says more about me, than the product!
• Value for money
Relatively inexpensive, Radflek come in four size packs:
6 radiator pack: £15.99
10 radiator pack: £24.99
10+ radiator pack: £27.99
20 radiator pack: £44.99
Of course, as I’ve only just installed mine, I cannot comment at this stage if they’ve saved me money. However, with the BRE (British Research Establishment) reporting that a sheet of Radflek will save up to 83kWH of energy per annum, it is estimated that a 20 radiator pack would give an approximate annual saving of £40. Meaning they will have paid for themselves in just over one year.
• Where can I get Radflek from?
Radflek are available online through their own shop, www.radflek.com. In addition, they are also available through Amazon where they regularly one of the top 10 best-selling DIY products.
Radflek radiator panels are also an Energy Saving Trust recommended product.
• Would I recommend them?
Yes, I would. They are low cost, easy to install and have been proven to save energy, particularly when used in external uninsulated walls (Radflek has been tested by the BBA -British Board of Agrément). They are also discreet, can be easily cleaned and can be taken with you, should you re-locate.
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all over the house anything to save the heat
Lounge
We have a radiator in every room in the house - so I’d use it in every room.
Every room but mainly living room to make most used room in house warmer
I would use them behind all my radiators
Fantastic idea for saving the cash on winter heating bills… put it to a summer holiday instead of heating the walls!!
Ha, I like your style Emma, I couldn’t agree more
these would be great in hall way
I would love to put them on all six radiators in my flat, i’m really curious now.
I’m glad your curious Irene, that’s what Queen of Easy Green is all about, me sharing tips and reviewing products that can help us all live a little greener and save money.
Im using foil at the moment but my living room could really do with it
All of the radiators, I want to be cosy in every room!
In the lounge as it has a wooden floor so is draughty and upstairs in the bedrooms.
We find it hard to keep the cosy off the kitchen warm (I blame the wooden door frames & windows). I would most certainly use them there, as my badly homemade tin foil version didn’t do much good last year!!!
Sounds like these are just what you need Dianne. I’m hoping to feature/review further energy saving products, including windows, soon so do stay tuned.
my living room !
In the Sitting Room
Got to go behind every radiator in every room.
living room
The bedroom, I need to feel warm in the morning
In every room as they all have radiators.
Behind all the radiators in the coldest parts of the house
I would use these behind every radiator.
in the bathrooms and bedrooms,
our livingroom it just never heats up
In the bedrooms
In all rooms
I would use them in every room
I’d use them in every room - but I would start with the lounge as it’s the biggest room and takes a lot of heat to warm it up!
Every room in my house (especially the lounge), my mother in laws house and my sons and daughters houses! What a clever idea - especially to be able to take them with you should you move.
our lounge as we only have one radiator in an 18 foot room
in my babies room. want her to be warm and cosy this winter
Anything to cut down on the heating bill!
All over the house!
Mainly in the bedrooms and kitchen.
This is a great prize, I would love to win. I would use them behind each radiator - so as to reflect heat into each room. Ideal in the present economic climate, particularly with ever increasing fuel prices.
In my living room, hall, bedroom and bathroom - to make them all cosier -perhaps I could afford to turn the heating on for a bit longer then!
I would love to reduce my heating bill
Everywhere
Behind every radiator.
Behind all radiators that sit on main walls facing outside..
Living room & bedrooms.
In my front living room as it takes ages to get warm in there, and on any other radiators that don’t seem to be throwing out the heat too well
In my front room as it is absolutely freezing in there in winter.
I’d start with all the radiators on outside walls.
Great idea, I’d start with all the radiators on outside walls
Behind every radiator in the house.
Behind every radiator in the house
Our sons bedroom, it is the only room with two outside walls & gets much colder.
definitely in the living room, and anywhere possible in the house to keep it all warm
In the rooms we use the most
living room
kids bedrooms
Do you have a promotion code that if available on their website?
Hi Eric. Thanks for your request, I have since been in touch with Radflek and they have kindly agreed to give all Queen of Easy Green readers and followers, an exclusive 15% discount off. Here’s more details http://www.lyndseyyoung.co.uk/save-energy-and-money-with-my-exclusive-radflek-discount-offer/ - but hurry the offer ends on 3 February.
bedrooms in my old house
Bedroom - so cold upstairs!
I would put them behind the radiators, and the savings under the matress
All of my upstairs radiators are single radiators and don’t give out much heat so these would be particularly handy!
lounge and front bedroom
on all of my radiators except the bathroom one
All over the house but especially in the lounge - the radiators there seem useless!
Every room, there are rads in each room and these sound great
behind all the radiators
radiators in the bedroom under the window
In the living room, especially in this weather
What a great idea and so simple too and with the way fuel bills are going the cost should be easily recouped.
Behind as many radiators as possible
Bedrooms, sitting room and kitchen.
On all my radiators
All round the house and particularly in the front of the house under my old sash windows
the bedroom in the garage conversion is the coldest so that room would be top of the list
The radiators that sit on the outside walls first and then work my way in…our house is freezing so we need all the help we can get!
I would use them on every radiator in my home
Very clever invention - weather is REALLY cold, we could all do with this.
Good luck all
in my bedroom it’s always chilly!
In our bedroom as it gets so cold without double glazing!
Behind all of my radiators, my dad has done this at my parents home and it does make a difference.
Would use them mostly in the living room as it can one of the coldest rooms as it is open plan with the dining room.
i would put 2 in my hallway/landling, daughters bedroom because its a small radiator, downstairs toilet its like a fridge in there, our bedroom and living room
I would use these behind the radiators in all of my rooms. Especially my bedroom and Lounge
[…] little while ago you may recall that Radflek got in touch to ask if I’d review their radiator reflectors. I have to say, not only was I impressed by the quality of the product, I was also pleasantly […]