Money expert Martin Lewis has confirmed that placing tin foil behind radiators is not a myth and really does work, offering a simple way to cut heating costs this winter.
Speaking on an energy bills special of The Martin Lewis Money Show Live on Tuesday, November 10, Lewis told ITV1 viewers about various radiator boosting tips to save money. The trick involves taking reflective foil and placing it behind a radiator, which can be as simple as kitchen tin foil or a proper reflective panel bought from DIY stores.
How the trick works
The science behind the method is that the foil, or aluminium panelling, reflects heat from behind the radiator back into the room, stopping it from being lost through the walls. This works in a similar way to the kitchen foil in windows trick used in summer, where households put tin foil in windows to bounce sunlight away and keep the inside cool.
Lewis said: “Look, if you’ve got radiators, walk round your house, the rooms you’re not using, that’s what the knob’s for. Turn them down. If they’re not warm throughout or they’re making gurgling noises, you need to bleed them to get the air out and reset them (make sure they’re turned off first so you’re not going to scald yourself).”
Lewis's verdict on the myth
He added: “Fit reflective foil behind external walls, you can get specialist foil - only on external walls not interior walls. That works, doesn’t it?”
“People are asking if it’s a myth, it’s not a myth. It really does work. It means heat is reflected back into the house rather than going through the external walls.”
Lewis also advised: “Finally, move your big furniture away from the radiators. Because otherwise you’re paying to heat the back of the furniture. You want that air to be circulating around the house.”
Timing amid rising bills
The advice comes as energy regulator Ofgem has already increased energy bills by 4% from October, with current forecasts suggesting they will increase by 24% or more in January. The Martin Lewis Money Show Live episode from Tuesday, November 10 is still available to watch via ITVX.
