5 Ways To Keep Home Heating Costs Down

Drafty windows can make life miserable in the winter, and cost you extra dollars in heating costs. We want to share some useful tips on how you can stop losing heat out of your drafty windows.

5 Tips on How to Keep the Heat Inside When You Have Drafty Windows

Tip #1: Use Rubber Weather Sealing

One of the least expensive options is a self adhesive weather strip tape. The strips are cut to fit your window frame and are a peel and stick strip. The will seal gaps in the frame to keep drafts out.

• Pros: Cheap, fairly effective, easy to apply.
• Cons: Can’t open windows if fresh air is needed, can peel paint or wood finish when removing, can leave a sticky residue.

Tip #2: Window Insulation Film
Window film can help make your home more energy efficient by covering the entire window and frame. Installation is easy with double sided tape. The film can be “tightened” by using a blow dryer to smooth out any wrinkles.

• Pros: Fairly inexpensive, available at any hardware store, effective.
• Cons: Can’t open windows if fresh air is needed, double stick tape can be difficult to remove, may not be available for larger windows.

Tip #3: Cellular Shades
Hunter Douglas Architella Honeycomb shades have won awards as “The Most Innovative Overall Design of the Year” by the Window Covering Manufacturer’s Association (WCMA). They have such great insulating properties that they are even eligible for a tax credit in 2013. Cellular shades reduce heat flow so they retain heat in Winter and keep it out in Summer, thus lowering energy bills.

• Pros:  Work in both Winter and Summer, can open windows if fresh air is needed, come in a variety of colors, pleat sizes and textures.
• Cons: Can be pricey, but overall savings may be worth it.

Tip# 4: Insulated Drapery
Custom Drapery can be a beautiful way to insulate your windows. The insulated lining will keep drafts a bay. The choices are endless.

• Pros: Can be matched to any decor, they are not your grandmother’s draperies anymore
• Cons: Can be expensive, insulating lining may block daylight

Tip #5: Draft Snakes
Last would be the use of a draft snake. Draft snakes are fabric tubes placed on a window sill or under a door to prevent cold air from creeping in. You can make one by sewing a tube of fabric to fit the width of your window and filling it with dried rice.

• Pros: Cheap, easy to make as a DIY project.
• Cons: It only insulates the window sill, not the glass or frame.

Next week we’ll discuss the options for a more permanent treatment, such as drapery or cellular shades and why you would want to work with Delux Drapery in the Ann Arbor, MI area.

Tags: Drapery, Energy bills, Energy costs, how to lower heating costs, insulated curtains, insulated draperies, lower heating bills, window treatments for energy savings