Save Energy with Winter Window Treatments

(Page 2 of 2)

November/December 2007
Megan Phelps 
Article Tools
Print
Comments
RSS
Bookmark and Share

RELATED CONTENT

Homemade window quilts. If you like the concept of insulated shades but would prefer to make your own, the process is pretty simple. Usually they're constructed with fabric as the front and back, and good insulating materials as the filler. These designs are also sometimes called window quilts, or movable insulation.


This 1983 article from the Mother Earth News Archive gives several strategies for making window quilts using a variety of insulating materials, including quilted fabric, a polyethylene vapor barrier and bubble wrap. Here's another article with pictures of homemade window quilts, and a good explanation of how they slow heat loss.


MORE DIY OPTIONS
Gary Reysa is an environmentally savvy DIY writer, and on his Web site he suggests a number of intriguing ideas for inexpensive and effective window insulation. Here are a few to consider:



  • Hang bubble wrap! Reysa explains this project in more detail on the site, but the basics are pretty simple. You just cut the bubble wrap to fit, spray it with water and stick it to the window. He calculated that putting bubble wrap on his home's windows reduced heat loss by 45 percent.

  • Construct window inserts. For windows where you don't mind blocking out light, these simple shutters can be a good option. They're made by duct-taping together several layers of cardboard and placing them in the window frame. Reysa says that while it may not be a pretty solution, it's fast, cheap and should dramatically improve window performance. You can also buy or make window inserts with rigid foam insulation.

  • Add acrylic storm windows. Storm windows are typically glass, but they don't have to be. Reysa suggests clear plastic as an inexpensive alternative that hardly looks different than glass and is just as effective.


Do you have other ideas for winterizing your windows and saving energy at home? Post your favorite energy saving strategies in our comments section.


Page: << Previous 1 | 2 |
Bookmark and Share
RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print

Comments

  • kb 8/29/2008 10:44:00 PM

    For energy saving ideas including saving energy with windows and window treatments, visit http://reducingenergy.blogspot.com/2008/08/saving-energy-with-window-treatments.html.

    Exploring ways to reduce energy consumption at home, work and at travel. Reducing Energy Usage, Lowering Cost, Saving Money

    visit http://reducingenergy.blogspot.com.

  • marilyn williams 11/28/2007 12:00:00 AM

    A few years ago I worked where they were throwing away over 600
    medium sized bubble wrap bags a day. I started hauling them
    home-what was I thinking? I didn't really know until winter set in.
    I was facing a very cold, drafty victorian house I had bought and
    lived in for a couple of years. Oh, and the other item available
    was large sheets of cardboard. I took the cardboard, used the
    screen insert from the old storm windows as a template, cut out a
    piece, spray mounted old lace to one side and inserted them up into
    the frame on the top-as if the screen was open, only now it just
    looked like a pretty lace shade! Then I took the bubble wrap,
    trapping all that air, and stuffed the open area behind the
    cardboard and between the glass. This left the bottom half open and
    letting in light and the top part is hidden by the lace curtains I
    have on the inside. The outside looks really pretty, lacy and
    victorian. The windows are 5' & 6' tall and I have over 30 of
    them. It was pretty much a free, recycled project. I only bought 2
    cans of spray adhesive and a pack of blades for my knife. I must
    admit that the winter was mild and I did continue to insulate
    around the windows and doors, BUT-my fuel use for my oil boiler
    that supplies my radiators the hot water dropped from 1350 gallons
    from the year before, to about 400 that winter. I thought I was
    kinda of nutty when I did it but I am relieved now that I've sen
    your article!

  • Suzanne McMahon 11/15/2007 12:00:00 AM

    I read this article and decided to try the bubble wrap on our
    bathroom (north) window. The result was immediate. This trick blew
    me away and it was so easy. No more cold north wind in the
    bathroom. Thanks so much.

  • Patricia Anderson 11/14/2007 12:00:00 AM

    I have purchased the inexpensive blankets from WalMart and hang
    them over the north wall of my mobile home and the front door. They
    reduce the draft from the windows, doors, and electric sockets. I
    also hang blankets over the south windows and try to tie them back
    during the day to let the sun in. Because I decorate (?) with
    Native American or nature scene blankets, they also are decorative.
    Plus they give the cats something to climb. I also hang a blanket
    in the living room/hallway to keep the cold from flowing through
    from the unheated part of the mobile.

  • dave mudge 11/13/2007 12:00:00 AM

    Check your neighborhood to see if you have a Habitat For The
    Humanities “Re-Store”.This will be a place that sells materials
    that have been donated from local contractors and businesses.They
    have building materials such as doors and windows, kitchen
    appliances, bath tubs & showers, toilets, paint, hardware,
    lighting etc. I bought 5 double insulated windows for a small house
    that I am remodeling.These windows retail around $200 ea., I bought
    them for $35 and $45 each.

  • Rick Block 11/13/2007 12:00:00 AM

    I found a unique approach to window "qults". Any local Salvation
    Army or Goodwill or Arc has lots of 'preused' quilts that are
    simple to mount and with a little work make great window
    'blankets'. I have done this with my south-facing french doors in
    sunny southern Colorado and will be adding some more new-made
    'blankets' on my next trip to the 'big' city.Rick

Add Your Comment

Please note that there is currently a problem with the comments function and your comment may or may not post successfully. We are working to correct the problem and thank you for your patience. 

You can use this comment form to enter your personal experiences or additional information and resources that you'd like to share with Mother Earth News readers. Your helpful advice will be posted on this page.  E-mail addresses are never displayed on comments, but they are required to confirm your comments.

Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br> tags.

New to Mother Earth News?
Sign up to share comments.
Asterisks(*) indicate required fields.
Name*
Your name appears next to your comment.

E-mail Address*
This will be your login ID.

City State Zip Code

Password*


Confirm Password*

Comments
1500 character limit (Offensive materials and/or spam will be removed, no HTML allowed)
Please Note: Your sign-up must be verified via e-mail before your comment is published.
FEATURED ARTICLES
MOST POPULAR


Subscribe Today - Pay Now & Save 66% Off the Cover Price

First Name: *
 Last Name: *
Address: *
 City: *
State/Province: *
 Zip/Postal Code:*
Country:
 Email:*
(* indicates a required item)
Canadian subs: 1 year, (includes postage & GST). Foreign subs: 1 year, . U.S. funds.
Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Non US and Canadian Subscribers - Click Here

Lighten the Strain on the Earth and Your Budget

Mother Earth News is the guide to living — as one reader stated — “with little money and abundant happiness.” Every issue is an invaluable guide to leading a more sustainable life, covering ideas from fighting rising energy costs and protecting the environment to avoiding unnecessary spending on processed food. You’ll find tips for slashing heating bills; growing fresh, natural produce at home; and more. Mother Earth News helps you cut costs without sacrificing modern luxuries.

At Mother Earth News, we are dedicated to conserving our planet’s natural resources while helping you conserve your financial resources. That’s why we want you to save money and trees by subscribing through our Earth-Friendly automatic renewal savings plan. By paying with a credit card, you save an additional $4.95 and get 6 issues of Mother Earth News for only $10.00 (USA only).

You may also use the Bill Me option and pay $14.95 for 6 issues.