You Could Save 30 Percent on Your Heating Bill With These Cheap Window Insulation Hacks

0 36

Yesterday 12:00

Late fall is a great time for DIY projects that can help you prep your home for winter, like coating your garage floor and staining your wood porch. It also brings with it cold weather and rising utility bills, especially if you live in a home with drafty windows. While upgrading those old single-pane windows might be the best solution, installing replacement windows in your home costs thousands of dollars. If new windows aren't in the budget, there are more affordable short term solutions that can help you cut back on wintertime energy costs. Installing window film, re-caulking windows, adding weather stripping, investing in draft stoppers, and hanging insulated curtains can net you as much as 30 percent in energy savings. Here’s how to winterize your windows on the cheap.

How Can You Insulate Your Windows?

Prep

In order to weatherize your windows, you need to be working on a clean surface. Start by cleaning the window sills and frames with a damp cloth.

Caulk

Caulk that’s cracked and peeling allows cold air to enter and warm air to leak out. Replacing that caulk seals those gaps. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Use a scraper to remove the old caulk from the interior of the window where it borders the window trim and the exterior of the window where the frame meets the siding.
Step 2: Load caulk into a caulk gun and cut the tip at a 45-degree angle. Cut the tip opening so that it creates a bead that’s about 1/4 of an inch thick.
Step 3: Apply a bead of caulk between the window frame and trim. Maintain consistent pressure on the caulk gun trigger to create a smooth and consistent bead.
Step 4: Put on a disposable glove and use your finger to smooth the bead, then wipe away any excess with a damp rag or paper towel.
Step 5: Move outside and run a bead of caulk around the exterior of the window between the frame and the siding.

Adding film to your windows can make them more efficient, and you can usually get everything you need in a kit.

Getty Images

Film

Window film is one of the most affordable ways to add an extra layer of insulation to inefficient single pane windows. You can find kits that can cover multiple windows, such as this one from Duck Brand, for around $15. Here’s how to winterize old windows using film:

Step 1: Measure the window then cut the film so that it’s one inch larger than the window opening on all sides.
Step 2: Apply the two-sided adhesive tape included in the kit around the window frame molding.
Step 3: Line up the film over the window and firmly press the edges onto the adhesive tape, so that there are no gaps where air can pass through.
Step 4: Set a blow dryer set to high, and blow hot air onto the plastic sheet. Hold the tip of the hairdryer about five inches away from the plastic and move it around the entire window. The hot air will shrink the plastic, so it fits tightly over the window.

Weather stripping

Weather stripping is an affordable way to seal off gaps between the window and sill:

Step 1: Open the window and clean off the areas where the window and sill meet. Allow the area to dry before proceeding.
Step 2: Measure the exact width of the sill and cut a pierce of weather stripping to fit.
Step 3: Remove the adhesive backing from the weather stripping and attach it to the underside of the window that comes into contact with the sill when the window is closed.
Step 4: Close the window and check for any light or drafts that might indicate any gaps.

Draft stoppers

A draft stopper, also called a draft snake, is a tube shaped piece of fabric that's stuffed with sand or beads. Draft stoppers are used at the bottom of windows and doors to block air from passing through. Since they simply sit in place, they’re very easy to install and remove. They also come in various patterns and colors, so you can match them to your home’s decor. Measure the width of the window sill where the draft stopper will sit and purchase one that fits.

Window treatments

Thermal curtains are heavier-insulated curtains that you hang over your windows to prevent drafts from passing through. Though pricier than other window insulation options, insulated curtains offer a more aesthetically pleasing alternative to window film. Since window treatments block sunlight, they are also an effective way to keep your home cooler during hot summer months.

Should I upgrade my windows?

While the above measures can help improve the efficiency of your windows, they are really only a stopgap. A better long term solution is to upgrade your old single pane windows with double- or even triple-glazed windows. A double-glazed window offers 20 to 30 percent energy savings over a single-glazed window. While upgrading your windows is pricey, there are tax credits available to help offset that cost.

What’s the cheapest way to insulate windows for winter?

Weatherstripping, plastic film, and caulking are the most affordable ways to insulate your windows for the winter. In most cases, you can purchase kits that will cover most if not all of the windows in your home for less than $25.

How can I insulate my windows from the inside?

You have several options for insulating your windows from the inside. The best options include window film kits, weather stripping, draft stoppers, caulking, and thermal curtains.