Save Energy, Save Money, Live Better!
For the most part, energy leaks or loss around windows (leaks that don’t have to do with the windows themselves: the panes, the construction, the actual unit itself) comes down to two main areas – the frame itself and the insulation around the frame. Energy can be lost whether the window is brand new and […]
By: Robin Green If your windows are ancient and aren’t doing a passable job of keeping heat inside your home in winter (or keeping it out in warm weather), maybe it is time to consider having new, energy saving windows put in. But new windows, especially good quality energy efficient ones, can be prohibitively expensive. […]
So the last experiment was disappointing, because it appeared that plastic did very little to prevent heat loss for your leaky hallway window. Things aren’t looking so good for the thin plastic as insulation. Luckily, we have another scenario. Plastic over part of a window has come “undone” giving us the perfect side by side […]
This question is important to many homeowners and renters because we believe that placing plastic over our windows will halep us save energy on cold winter days and nights. Some plastic makers claim that plastic adds at least 1R value to the window. I doubt this to be true. But using the information presented in […]
Right now, it’s a real buyer’s market out there. Interest rates are very low (if you can get approved) and real estate prices are plummeting. New home construction and remodeling have stopped. And the economy is still trying to shake off the cold, so to speak. So, ideally, if you are looking for a new […]
The easy answer to a drafty or old window that no longer insulates well is to “cover it in plastic.” And that still is probably the best possible answer for most situations. Most situations? Yup. I said most situations for a reason. Here’s why. You need to know how the window is losing your home’s […]
One of the most challenging problems for homeowners is with the placement of a heat register, radiator or other heat source under or near a window. The problem is compounded with every degree the temperature plummets outside. Understanding the problem To figure out how to fix the problems, we have to understand what is going […]
When you are buying a new home, here are some things to look for to ensure you keep your energy bills low: Look for energy efficient appliances. Most of the time they will still have the energy guide sticker on them. Check the efficiency and relative costs. Check the age and condition of the delivery […]
This one puzzles the heck out of me. We’ve talked about how a lot of heat escapes through the windows. Heat vents blow heat into a room. Why then, would anyone place a heat vent directly under a window? Argh! A lot of heat will be wasted, and the room will always feel colder than […]
Am I really asking you to pick out and install some curtains? There’s a very, very good reason, aside from being fashionable. Which I’m not. Curtains, especially the heavier fabric ones, are good insulators. They retain heat very well, and also block a lot of cold air. Try this. If you have curtains, on a […]