I have long recommended getting auto windshield reflectors and using them to wrap your refrigerator, cooler and even hang over the side of the boat where the refrigerator is.
During the “Improve Refrigerator Efficiency” seminar that I led at LoretoFest, a cruiser told me about a better solution: Reflectix. A couple more chimed in with their stories too.
Reflectix is sold at home improvement stores (I’m told it’s available at the Home Depots throughout Mexico even) and is available on Amazon. To greatly oversimplify, it’s bubble wrap that has a reflective foil surface on both sides.
Better yet, it’s not particularly expensive (as I’m writing this, a 2′ x 25′ roll costs just under $25).
The manufacturer describes it more fully:
Reflectix is a 5/16-inch thick, seven layer, reflective insulation which is available in rolls of various widths and lengths. It is used extensively in both specialty and standard construction projects. Two outer layers of aluminum foil reflect 97-percent of radiant heat.
The best application is on the outside of a refrigerator, ice box or cooler where sunlight might hit it. It won’t do much to put it on the inside of a box since there really isn’t any radiant heat there. Admittedly, it isn’t the prettiest thing but it does work well.
Reflectix is really easy to work with — you can cut it with ordinary shears and the bubble wrap center makes it not tear easily. It comes in rolls of 25 feet and more, and in widths ranging from 1 to 4 feet (the 1-foot width is called “duct wrap” but it’s the same thing).
For best results, tape seams with Reflectix Foil Tape although you can use duct tape or any other type of tape.
As the discussion progressed, one cruiser — Tim — said that he had an Engel Portable Refrigerator and loved it . . . particularly after he made a Reflectix “jacket” for it and cut the already low power usage nearly in half. That’s his creation above!
See Reflectix products and search for others available on Amazon.
Your VHF can do so much! Learn how to use ALL its features for just $39:
And check out our other courses and products
Kelley Gudahl on Facebook says
This is great – On Sailing Chance we used rigid insulation you get from home depot and then insulation tape to secure it. Works great!
Julie Sandler Lambert on Facebook says
I sewed that same product between the sunbrella and lining fabric on all of our hatch covers. It reflects the heat and makes the covers waterproof. And they float when the wind grabs one out of your hand. Great stuff!
Jaxon White says
This is great stuff! I first saw this when I had http://www.radiasource.com/ install reflective insulation. I had that idea to use it on a few things and it turned out to work on all of my ideas. I thought I was the only one but I guess not. Thanks for sharing this article.
Allan Cobb says
You can also take the scraps and make covers for your ports. This really cuts the heat inside the cabin especially when your boat is closed up.
The Boat Galley says
Good idea!
Alice Connors says
Been using this for years.
Sami Bolton says
we used this stuff in our port windows. I spray glued pretty fabric to both sides and cut to fit////
Sami Bolton says
I have pictures of the whole process somewhere and one of the boating mags did a story on it…maybe L&A years back.
Harold Delk says
We’re not boaters, but use this in our Pleasure-Way RV (small Sprinter Class B) on the interior of windows and it keeps us cooler and/or toastier depending on the season. Easy to stow when not in use and easy to stick back up when camped. Side benefit is they also block light and prying eyes at night.
Elaine Gustafson-Howland says
This is great stuff . After you start using it you will find a multitude of uses for it on the boat as well as in an RV and house.
The Boat Galley says
Oh yeah. And the scraps can make good padding, too.
Rachel Roy Smith says
I sewed lace covers for our round reflectix port covers, looked great and kept the Caribbean sun out of our cabin! Now we use it in our RV!
Bob says
Yep,
Found this stuff at hardware store 5 years ago and covered the inside walls of our fridge and freezer, used aluminum duct tape on the seams. Worked well so far.
Cap'n Dave says
My port-side bulkhead (which is also the side that my fridge just happens to be on) has become so stained and ugly over the years – I bet putting this up and hot-gluing a nice fabric cover (or even just using a wood-panel-print shelf wrap) would not only greatly improve the appearance, but also be wonderful insulation! I might do this up in the forward berth as well! Then cut and trim for some portlight covers, and even fashion a companionway hatch cover for those chilly winter months in San Francisco Bay! (Last winter’s electric bill was…well, let’s just say that PG&E loved me!)
Carolyn Shearlock says
I think that would work well!
Dave Wilbar says
We have used Reflextix in all of our lockers. And under our fitted carpet. Also wrapped our keel stepped mast. Heat stays off much longer. Interesting comments about cutting to size and adhering fabric to it. May try that on inside hull next to bunk. Thanks!