40 Handy Aluminum Foil Hacks You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner

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19/40 Improve radiator efficiency

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Looking to improve the heat output of your old cast-iron radiators without raising your utility bills? Try making a DIY heat reflector. Simply tape a sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil—shiny side facing outward—to a piece of cardboard and position it behind the radiator. This reflects radiant heat back into the room rather than letting it soak into the wall. If your radiator has a cover, placing foil on the underside of the top panel can further help direct heat where it’s needed.