Plastic on Windows for Weatherproofing?

[Keebler Elf]

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/cold-weather-window-solutions.html#

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/WindowInsulatorKits/Products/

Is this true? 25-40% reduction in heat loss?

I'm thinking about putting this up on my windows and if it's anywhere near that effective I'll definitely do it.

 

[hot4rub]

I think it all depends on where you live, how old the house is and what type of windows you currently have. I think that 25-40% is the extreme. I've used them is the past and found the savings to be negligible.

 

[rgkv]

funny how it is eh............before when it was single pane glass we all had exterio storm windows, with the advent of thermo units we quit using storms, now again they are good.......

 

[Brill]

Some homes get sealed so well that they need to open a window to prevent condensation.
Either that or spend money on a heat exchanger to bring in fresh air.

 

[landscaper]

if you have single pane windows on the north or west side of our house yes they canb save you money and keep you a bit warmer just make sure you take the plastic all the way over the trim most of the leakage is around the window through bad insulation at the edges

 

[marikiss]

you can get insolation pads to stick on outside wall sockets and switches only takes a min to install. can save a few bucks, and no need to take them out in the summer.

 

[papasmerf]

Every little bit will help.


My bet would be that if you have single pane windows you also have little or no insulation. You can tell easily by checking the snow on your roof. After a snow if it melts off in no time you are not well insulated. Blown in insulation is the most practical solution for most existing homes. You can do it yourself if you wish and save about as much as you put into it in 2 years.

 

[Nickelodeon]

Best way to find out is to get an energy audit. It tells yo where your major heat loss occurs and is used as a basis for you to get government grants on certains products that make your house more energy efficient.

 

[james t kirk]

Windows are always large heat losers, no matter what you do.

You can buy the best windows on the market (IMHO - Loewen Windows) and I think they are good for R-4.

A huge heat loss in older homes is Air Infiltration (drafts) and in order to stop drafts you need to use foam and proper caulking.

 

[my2cents]

Windows are always large heat losers, no matter what you do.

You can buy the best windows on the market (IMHO - Loewen Windows) and I think they are good for R-4.

A huge heat loss in older homes is Air Infiltration (drafts) and in order to stop drafts you need to use foam and proper caulking.

Foam and proper caulking....sounds alot like the sex trade. I agree with the fact windows are a big loser but the window film does help stopping a draft from older windows. You may also want to consider heavier curtains to help prevent direct draft from the windows. I know after my energy audit the guy said going with new windows would be the lowest rate of return in energy savings.

 

[oldjones]

The plastic adds as pretty much the same R value as another layer of glass (some of the highest rated windows put a layer of plastic between their two panes of glass).Each trapped air layer insulates. Plus the more you extend the plastic to beyond just the glass, the more air leaks you seal. Any window that opens is bound to have those, and they're likely the biggest heat loss points.

It's kinda fun doing the heatshrink film, at least on the first window, chasing the wrinkles away with a hair dryer, and you can make the see-thru part as clear as glass. But where you sealed it is where it'll fail any aesthetic test, unless you're real careful and thoughtful. And if there's a double-sided tape that sticks down firmly and still easily peels up after four months without bringing paint and plaster with it, I haven't found it. That part is no fun.

 

[blackrock13]

When you think that most windows compose more than 15/20% of your dwellings exposed surface and usually have a R value of 2/4. That kind of loss numbers are not out of line. Anything you can do helps; storm windows, films, calking, extra plastic sheets heavier drapes are cheap and easy.

The best windows on the market to date rate R12 to R14, but not easily found in Canada (duh!!) and $$$$$$$$$. Just Google the values and read up.

 

[buckwheat1]

buy Northstar windows 20 warranty on window seal and average priced, most other window have a 10 year warranty.