Another heat question.

[tim]

 The back wall of my lean-to is covered with 'foil'. Will this double the heat or reflect it back where it came from?

Just got a sample of the stronger material - handles much better than the single Mylar.

[Gardenantics]

Dear Tim,

I think it is more a function of light that you are using the foil for, the heat will be reflected, and therefor the back wall will not absorb the heat to radiate at night, so you may get cooler night temperatures. I once saw a plan for a lean-too greenhouse that had plastic tanks filled with water stacked all along the back to provide heat at night via a heat pump, looked like a good idea to me!

Brian.

[tim]

So right about the light.

Hadn't thought about the heat sink. So, even in the winter, we are getting  extra light at the expense of cooler nights.

 I don't want more day heat than we already get in a lean-to, but the 'foil' is now a fixture. If it does add to the day heat, I suppose I could cover it.