Any tricks or products you have used to winter-proof your home that have been successful? I am definately looking to do something with a single-pane window that measures 50" x 90". We all could use help with these horrendous heating bills! Any specific product recommendations would be helpful, if possible....but any tricks would do. Thanks! :)
In addition to using the clear plastic on the window directly you can build a seasonal removeable frame with the window plastic.
Door draft stops are easy to make and are a big seller at my vendor tables -- they have to be working for someone, besides me on my drafty interior basement door.
We use a secondary heat source for the last 10 years. Which reminds me I need to get moving on cutting my wood this week! :)
We use the window plastic on our older windows and it makes a big difference. All you need it the kit and a hairdryer. For a big window if you buy the outside kits they are bigger and work just as well when used on the inside. We also calk around the windows and doors on the outside.
I try to wait until a cold windy day and then I feel around for drafts to see where the cold air is coming in.
I think my windows would be called double hung and when the wind blows I can feel a draft blow up between the two windows. To seal up that gap I used D channel and rather than split the piece, I folded it in half and pressed it into the gap. It is a little longer than the window so if I need to open the window the piece can be removed and then placed back in.
I bought a roll of rope caulking and added it anywhere along the window that I felt a draft. It can be removed later if need be.
I also used the outlet sealers. I am not sure if I have a lot of heat loss there but figured it was worth the few dollars.
We used to have a lot of air come through our front door. This year we finally figured out a solution. We used foam weatherstripping on the door itself. That gap is gone.
On almost all of my windows I have room darkening roller blinds. I keep them closed in the winter and my lined drapes pulled closed. I figured that might help keep some heat in as well.
Hope this gives you a few ideas.
I grew up in a house that did not have insulation when we moved in. As I grew up, we slowly insulated each room. But in the beginning, there were a few winters where it got so cold, our whole family slept in the living room under sleeping bags and blankets.
What worked to help cut the cold out... We started with rags and a butter knife. We used the butter knife to push the ripped up rags (ripped into strips) into the gaps of the window. (They now also make a caulking that you can push into it but i think the rags probably worked a little better). Then after all the gaps were filled in, we used plastic to cover the windows. This was an enormous help. I credit the idea to my Mom.
We've used the clear plastic film for the windows (the ones you use the hair dryer with) and wow!-- what a difference! Also, the insulating things you put in the outlets really helped on our outside walls too.
Do you have a thermostat that is programmable? That helps with keeping the temp low when you're not there and it can still be warmed up when you get home. But I would not recommend huge temp differences. Plastic on the windows. Put weather stripping under & around all doors, including garage doors.
Just wondering about "the insulating thing you put in the outlets." What does it do? How much is one? Will they know what I mean at a hardware store if I ask for it like that?
