how many of you

[irmanator]

put plastic on your windows for the winter, have you noticed a difference?
I do and in my apt where i used to live i saved $50 a month on heat. since i moved into my house I have always done it. I can feel the difference in warmth almost instantly. I know people may suggest more energy efficient windows but I cant afford to right now.

[mom-from-missouri]

I don't here (new windows that are EF), but I have in previous homes, and yes, I noticed a huge difference. Also I hang quilts above the north windows and really cold or windy days and that saves as well. Also try the foam strips around the door frames, and the insulated foam pads for the outlet and light switches.
A cheap way to insulate indoor copper pipes is to use swim noodles--just slit them down the side--its cheaper than buying the black ones for pipes, and it basically the same stuff.

[shelbylovesmelby]

we usually put it over our windows every yr, I don't notice the change in cost exactly, but sitting near them it makes a heck of a differance.

Now if they could withstand lil kids who get a kick out of poking holes in the plastic! *sigh*

[mackybethsmommy]

We do it here too. Our windows are old and drafty and we are replacing them one at a time as we can afford it. I can tell a huge difference with the plastic up because the heat stays in and the cold stays out. I figured $25 for the plastic shrink wrap for windows was better than charging $2500 for windows all at once.

[irmanator]

At least the kids "usually " will learn to stop after a while mine are ending up with duct tape patches cause my cats want to see out the window. or wonder why i wont let them out the sliding glass porch door anymore. lol

[PrincessPerky]

We have never done it because I didn't want to fight the kids over it...Though we do use insulated curtains or blankets for the windows, which does make a difference.

[Ima saver]

I have anderson windows and they are very energy efficient!

[Coleroo]

we dont do it with house windows but our screen porches always get the plastic treatment. :-D works like a charm.

[leggzz66]

Yes I do and have noticed the difference also. I agree on that one window at a time idea also. We have a store in Arkansas actually, that sells windows that were ordered and never accepted. You may want to look into that as well, its in an old kmart building in Blytheville Ark. They sell all kinds of what they call as reminents. All the windows are gas filled and efficent. Just gotta look thru the pile and find ones that will work. They sell those windows, big and small, from 35-75 dollars each. I called a place for a free quote, and it was 5,800 and thats just too much for me. At those prices and how many i need, i can buy them all at once for under a grand. I am doing one at a time though, to much needed for one income family daily needs.lol. Each bit you do though should save you money in the long run. Good luck to you. If you dont know of a store like the one i said, ask around, thats how i found out about that one. Or id of never known, thats in ark and im in mo. Hour away or so, but was worth the trip, I love the carpet squares. They sell for 3 for 1.00. You can put those down and only need a few extras for just in case you need to replace one, instead of replacing your whole carpet. Those squares of carpet at 2x2ft, great deal for those. Hardware for your house of any kind there is also by the pound not by the individual item your purchasing. Its all new stuff, just stuff noone wanted that ordered it all. I bought a pantry there last year this time, and it cost me 49.00, regularly 99.00.

[Rick01]

I lived in a rental house one time (during college) where the windows leaked so bad the plastic I installed would get ripped off from the wind blowing through (plastic on the inside). My electric bill was outrages there of course.

[sweeps]

I lived in a rental house one time (during college) where the windows leaked so bad the plastic I installed would get ripped off from the wind blowing through (plastic on the inside).

[jIM_Ohio]

I lived in a rental house one time (during college) where the windows leaked so bad the plastic I installed would get ripped off from the wind blowing through (plastic on the inside). My electric bill was outrages there of course.

sounds like my fraternity house in Flint MI

[Rick01]

Yea, I didn't have much money in college.

Anyway, I would highly recommend the plastic as an affordable alternative.

[leggzz66]

I lived in an apartment like that once, Had to use duct tape to hold the plastic onto the walls because the cold air would come in around the window frames....I left the plastic on in the summer too on some of the windows to keep the AC inside. Dont think the landlord liked the fact a small amount of paint pulled off when the duct tape got pulled off the window/wall.

I am sure I saved the land lord a ton off his heating bill. Once the blowing cold air was stopped by the plastic, we could turn down our heat all the way, because the people downstairs did not use plastic and would crank the heat.

I would think after bills like those, they would upgrade windows on rentals that rent includes heat bill in, would be cheaper, prolly what they would of spent that winter, just doing the windows, thenfore paying for themselves

[leggzz66]

I hear ya on those two points hun, I live in tornado alley, and with those come hail. As far as replacing the glass, i had to do that once myself. Mom sold her hubbys family home, built in 1877. Glass wasnt cheap tho, i had to find a specialty glass store and that lil 5x7 window pane cost me over 200 dollars. I forget what they call it, but its some thing about the glass that makes it more like block glass in a way. Coke bottle like in some way. Just cause my ex and his nephew decided to goof off and put an elbow thru it. I couldnt get my move out check from the realtor til i fixed that pane.