Although a window insulation project would yield the greatest benefit for homeowners in regions of extreme cold or heat, ultimately everyone would benefit. Millions of people around the country are paying hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on excessive heating or cooling bills simply because the outside air is leaking to the inside.
There are two primary misconceptions when it comes to insulating windows. Replacement windows are not always necessary. The first misconception is that only a licensed contractor would be qualified to do the job and the second that the cost for this type of job is high. In truth, 95% of techniques used to insulate windows could be performed by the homeowner while meeting or exceeding high standards.
Today, many homeowners are looking for ways to save money. With the current economic situation, budgets are tight so finding DIY projects to save money but also enhance the home is exciting. With the cost of replacement windows costing thousands of dollars, a more cost-efficient solution would be to use a technique to insulate the windows currently in your home and with the information provided in this article, you will be able to accomplish just that.
To determine if your windows need to be insulated, you could start by looking at your monthly heating or cooling bill. Comparing the bill with those from previous years would tell you if the windows are not properly insulated. In addition, you could contact the utility company, asking them the average you should be paying and then again, comparing that to what you are actually being billed. Then, if you notice steam on the window during the summer, frost in the winter, have a difficult time keeping the inside temperature comfortable, or you can actually feel air leaking inside, there is a problem.
Energy Panels
One of the first do-it-yourself window insulation projects is with energy panels. In this case, the insulation of your existing windows would be guaranteed to triple. These panels are designed with two layers of glazing, which are set inside an aluminum frame made with an air pocket between. Energy panels are custom fit to the size and configuration of your windows and after being attached to the inside, weather stripping is attached to provide a strong seal. While one of the more window insulation options, the overall cost is much less than buying new windows.
Bubble Wrap
This piece of plastic is made with hundreds of air-filled bubbles. Although typically used for shipping delicate items, it can also be used to insulate windows. You can purchase bubble wrap at any office supply store or retail store such as Wal-Mart or Kmart for very little money. For this, simply cut a piece to fit the inside window and then add two inches so the seams would be completely covered. Usually, the plastic would stay in place on its own but tape could be used if wanted. Bubble wrap offers a number of benefits to include being cost efficient, cutting heal loss on a single pane window by as much as 50%, and being a reusable product.
Insulating Film
This material is sold at home improvement, hardware, and retail stores at an affordable price. Keep in mind that you want to purchase a high quality brand and then for application, press the insulating film against the inside window with double-sided tape, followed by shrinking it with a standard blow dryer. To keep heat and cold out, this technique works well. The only real downside to insulating film is that most products are dark, which means views to the outside are somewhat obscured.
Weather Stripping
The most common reason outside air leaks in is due to the existence of a gap where the window and frame meet. Therefore, using rubber weather stripping to seal this gap is an effective technique to prevent heat or cold air loss. The easiest option is a self-stick product but often, these do not hold up well over time. For this reason, we suggest a better quality weather stripping that would stay securely in place and last much longer.
Thermal Backed Curtains or Drapes
Thermal backed curtains and drapes are nothing new although materials used are better today than several years ago. With this window insulating solution, you would have incredible selection options for style, type of fabric, pattern, color, and size. Overall, thermal backed curtains or drapes are efficient but there are two issues to consider. First, the cost is relatively high. Second, for the best efficiency, the thermal backed curtains/drapes would need to be closed during the hottest or coldest time of day, which means natural light and views to the outside would be blocked..
