Saran Wrap Weight Loss This Winter, Be Cool, Be Smart and Be Warm.
Anybody living in one of the many regions buried under record snow this winter will agree that, for all its beauty, this season can be a real pain. Not only does all that snow mean more work and more trouble getting around, but the frigid temperatures make just staying comfortable a real challenge. And the heating bills... ugh, don't get me started.
While I can't help you get your car unburied, I do have some suggestions to help you keep your home more comfortable and your heating bills down this winter. The good news is you can accomplish a lot with very little expense!
Though it is oft repeated advice you may be tired of hearing, nothing is more important than insulating your house against the chilly invasion of cold air and the wasteful loss of heat. While new attic insulation is something to consider in an older home, it's also a relatively expensive proposition. Of more immediate concern to you (only because it is an inexpensive solution) is to check your windows and doors to see how well they're keeping the heat in and the cold out.
A windy day is the best time to check your windows and doors. Simply close all your windows and then use a candle or stick of incense. Watch the flame or smoke to see if it deviates from vertical. Check along the sides, top and bottom. If you see the flame or smoke being blown inward or sucked towards the windows, mark the spot with a piece of tape so you don't forget where your drafty trouble spots are.
Window insulation is a simple do-it-yourself effort and it is exceedingly affordable. Rubber weather sealing strips are probably the simplest solution to plug gaps in your windows. Simply cut to length, peal the paper to expose the adhesive and then put in place in any gaps. The nice thing about weather strips is that they are subtle and all but invisible once in place, making for a clean insulation solution. On the downside, when time comes to remove the weather stripping, it may peal some paint but there really is no reason to remove weather sealing until it is old, worn and time to replace. As such, any potential damage to paint will be immediately covered again by fresh weather sealant.
Another method for insulating windows that some find surprising is window insulation film. Described by some as saran wrap for windows because that so well describes the solution, the film is applied inside to cover the window frame using double-sided tape, then heated with a hairdrier to shrink the film. What is so surprising is that the thin film plastic shrink material does a very good job of weather proofing a window, blocking drafts and preventing heat from escaping. A bit more expensive than rubber weather sealing strips and requiring a bit more work to put in place, window insulating film is a great way to cover a broad problem area to keep your home toasty and warm. The downside, the wrap can be a bit of an eyesore, but isn't an issue if hidden behind a curtain.
Speaking of curtains, heavy, layered curtains and drapes can also be employed to cut down on drafts. Though obviously an expensive solution, if you already have them in place they are helping a bit. The addition of weather strips or window insulation film will simply improve the benefits you're getting from those heavy curtains.
While weather sealing strips can be a good solution for the drafty vertical parts of your exterior doors, the big trouble spot here is generally the large gap at the bottom of doors. You've probably seen under door draft guards advertised on television, but there are many kinds of draft guards or "draft snakes" available that will help prevent cold air coming in and warm air from escaping. You can make these yourself using any tubular fabric measured and cut to the width of your door and stuffed with foam pellets mixed with some coarse sand (for weight), dry rice or any small particles that will give it some weight to help it stay in place.
Proper insulation may help you save anywhere from 15-30% in heating costs this winter. You can save more by having the insulation in your attic and exterior walls professionally inspected and replaced if needed, but the money you save there won't be immediate and will be measured over the long term in years. In the meantime, make a conscious effort to control the way you heat your home. That means allowing for a cooler home when you're away at work and only cranking up the heat when you're home. You can also turn your thermostat way down and use an efficient space heater to keep your bedroom warm at night. You'll save money by only heating the parts of your home you are actually using.
It doesn't have to cost a lot to enjoy a more comfortable winter. It just takes a little thought, a quick visit to the hardware store and the tinniest bit of elbow grease to make your home warm, cozy and more energy efficient.
Saran Wrap Weight Loss.