Installing window quilts is one of the simplest, easiest ways to save on energy costs. It’s right up there with caulking, weather stripping and adding extra roof insulation in terms of rapid payback. Window quilts would probably pay for themselves in just one or two seasons. With something so simple and obvious you’d think more people would use them, especially those in cold climates. You save energy and improve comfort by greatly reducing drafts. As pointed out in the video, window quilts are especially practical in passive solar homes that have more windows than typical homes.
I’m not promoting any particular brand. It’s the concept that’s important. You could even make your own window quilts. Fabric stores sometimes sell window quilt material. A client of mine is thinking of sewing quilts with recycled ground styrofoam, foam peanut packaging or bubble wrap insulation, possibly with Velcro around the edges. Use rot resistant fabric for durability and make sure the edges are sealed. Use a design that’s easy to put in place so you don’t grow weary of installing the quilts every day.
Simply adhering plastic film or bubble wrap might be more practical for some. Here’s an experiment from BuilditSolar.com (great site) that shows how bubble wrap on windows can reduce heat loss by about 45%.
There are a lot of DIY windows insulation techniques.
You will find a list at
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/Conservation/conservation.htm#WindowTreatments
Klaus Leiss
That’s an excellent list, Klaus. Thanks for sharing. One good method on the list is called Douglas Thermal Shade Design made with Reflectix. It’s a DIY, low budget system that looks like the fancy ones in the video.
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/Conservation/ThermalShades/ReflectexShade.htm
You sure could. For pennies…
Kick that cold out for pennies:
Emergency Mylar Thermal Blankets (Pack of 10)
http://www.amazon.com/Emergency-Mylar-Thermal-Blankets-Pack/dp/B000GCRWCG/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
(You’ll have to cut an paste this yourself because I don’t know how to embed it .)
I don’t work for Amazon and I don’t get a penny for suggesting this:
(I could embed my own Amazon affiliate number in this – but I will NOT do it)
Price: $8.50 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25.
This is one of those “I gotta stash some of these”.. items.
Keep them in your car’s glove box, your purse or knapsack.
The #1 way to die in an unexpected, short term ’emergency’ is from body temperature fluctuation… And it’s only a matter of a few degrees either way.
Use them on your windows to bounce heat out, or keep the warm in!
Look, these thermal blankets are a must. No matter if they’re for camping or a real emergency, these blankets are a necessity. Around here, we pass them out to the homeless people we encounter. They need to stay warm, too!
And don’t forget that if your car breaks down… these blankets can protect you from both the cold AND those comments from the passenger seat that sound mysteriously like “I told you so… dumb@ss!” :)
Okay, maybe not at your house, but at MY house… you can bet it’s not gonna be pleasant.
These are good quality and at (10) for $8.50, it’s the cheapest lifesaver you’re going to find, I promise!
Get ’em while they’re HOT! (and still in stock!)
And line your windows with them… You’ll be amazed at the gains you’ll see.
Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!!
Sorry Owen, it was too good a bargain to pass up. Sorry to play “pimp”. It can save lives.
You could combine these mylar blankets with insulated quilts.