Device to stop heat escaping behind curtains

molly bronski

The curtains in my sitting room come to below the window sill but above the radiator. For the past couple of years, once the weather gets cold and I have the curtains pulled and radiator on, I have improvised a device to try to retain heat. I have a long piece of cardboard, the length of the radiator, which is covered in tinfoil. I then stand it between the back of the radiator, balanced on the wall fixings, and bend it out so that the curtains fall behind it.

This seems to increase the heat considerably (might always be a placebo effect!) but the cardboard tends to fall apart in time. Are there any similar devices available commercially? What I have in mind in the same thing made out of metal or other efficient device.

Chuck Stone

How about this stuff?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b1T8p9Mz1o

DublinDilbert

Yea its a real problem with long curtains and rad's below windows.

You could put a long narrow shelf over the radiator, possibly with a ledge on it so the curtains could be placed on it during the cold months.

molly bronski

The video looks interesting but I"m not sure that it's what I'm looking for. This is what I'm currently using and was hoping to find a more solid option: I have the reflective, air filled tinfoil behind the radiator already, but can't help feeling that whatever heat is radiated back from the wall just disappears up
behind the folds of the curtain and out through the (double glazed) window.

DublinDilbert

molly bronski wrote: »

The video looks interesting but I"m not sure that t's what I'm looking for. This is what I'm currently using and was hoping to find a more solid option

Yea if you knew someone with a bending press, you could bend some steel in that kinda shape. Bottom bit and screw to the wall. Top bit doesn't need to be as long. Most metal work / engineering places would bend you some thin mild steel to do this. I'm really surprised nothing is available to do this...

Kristopherus

Would something like this be of any assistance?

http://www.thegreenstop.co.uk/heatkeeper-energy-saving-radiator-panel-211-p.asp

molly bronski

I have those behind all the radiators already. I might see if there is anyone available with a bending press. Thanks for all the help

LaChatteGitane

http://www.allthingsgreen.net/marketplace/padded-radiator-reflector-foil-save-energy-reduce-heat-loss-p-11496.html