Martin Lewis settles long-running tin foil debate as households look for ways to cut heating bills

Grab some tin foil from your kitchen cupboard and put some down the back of each radiator.placeholder image
Grab some tin foil from your kitchen cupboard and put some down the back of each radiator.

Martin Lewis has weighed in on the long-running debate over using tin foil to heat homes, but does it really make a difference in cutting energy bills?

Martin Lewis has settled the debate over whether putting tin foil behind radiators can help households save money on heating bills.

The money-saving expert confirmed that reflective foil can help keep homes warmer by reflecting heat back into the room rather than allowing it to escape through external walls.

Speaking on The Martin Lewis Money Show Live, Martin explained that the trick works best when used behind radiators fitted to external walls.

He said: "Fit reflective foil behind external walls, you can get specialist foil – only on external walls not interior walls."

Martin also shared other simple ways households can improve heating efficiency, including turning down radiators in unused rooms, bleeding radiators when necessary and keeping furniture away from heat sources.

While reflective foil will not guarantee a specific reduction in energy bills, it can be an inexpensive way to reduce heat loss and make better use of household heating.

With colder weather approaching, Martin's advice could help households stay warmer while making their energy go further.

Comment Guidelines

Iconic Media encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.

Local news you can trust
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice