Winterizing Sliding Glass Doors

[FrugalTexan75]

My post to you blog does not appear to be showing up, so I thought I'd tell you this here.

Did I read in one of your blog entries that you'd bought a hat and scarf at Big Lots? Well, how about looking for an electric blanket there? If you heat just your body, it doesn't take as much energy, and the heat goes right where you want it. Last spring Big Lots here had small electric blankets (were called throws--less than twin size anyway) that are really good. The heating wires are closer together than in a lot of blankets so your arm or leg or whatever is more likely to make contact with a hot-spot. The brand name is BIDDEFORD. DH had previously given me one for Christmas and paid a whole lot more than BL charges I use mine both in bed and while sitting at computer. In your single room, you could probably put it on a long extension cord and be free to move about the room with it over your shoulders.

Just went and got the info on this blanket from Big Lots. It is called "Delightful Moments Automatic Warming Throw." It comes with thermostatic control, a 13 foot cord, and is 50" X 62". BL sold it for $13.50, though I think DH paid $47 for my original one....This thing makes life in winter so much better for me.

"bubble wrap window insulation." You might get the material for this project free on Craiglist. BubbleWrap

How cold is that house, anyway?

That is strange your comment didn't show up. I didn't receive a notice of a comment from you either.

Like I said to DS, I've decided to put up with what is there now. My landlady seems to rarely be in a good/approachable mood lately. But I digress.

I will have to look for that Delightful Moments throw! It sounds perfect - that in combination with the space heater.

I don't know about the rest of the house - it isn't very cold outside of my room because she has the central heat turned on. My room however just doesn't seem to catch much of that heat - or if it does, most of it goes right out the cracks by the windows/sliding glass doors.

ETA: I stopped by Big Lots today. They had one of the blankets, but it was for $25, not $13. I couldn't justify buying another blanket for that much when I have lots of regular ones. Thanks though, for the recommendation.

[kork13]

I don't know about the rest of the house - it isn't very cold outside of my room because she has the central heat turned on. My room however just doesn't seem to catch much of that heat - or if it does, most of it goes right out the cracks by the windows/sliding glass doors.

If that's the case, check the vent in your room to make sure that it's fully open/not clogged up with something. Also, if you have a ceiling fan, you can use it to push warm air down (you might have to hit the switch on the fan to change the direction it spins).

But I had this problem in my last apartment as well... The windows leaked air (I could hear it when the wind blew, and when cars drove by, it sounded as if my windows were totally open), and even though I did both of the above, my room was still by far the hottest in the summer and coldest in the winter.... ugh....

[FrugalTexan75]

If that's the case, check the vent in your room to make sure that it's fully open/not clogged up with something. Also, if you have a ceiling fan, you can use it to push warm air down (you might have to hit the switch on the fan to change the direction it spins).

But I had this problem in my last apartment as well... The windows leaked air (I could hear it when the wind blew, and when cars drove by, it sounded as if my windows were totally open), and even though I did both of the above, my room was still by far the hottest in the summer and coldest in the winter.... ugh....

Hmm... the vent appears to be open and clear. I hadn't thought about the ceiling fan ... will have to look for the switch your talking about. (I've heard about that, but never tried it.)

[whaddadeal]

I don't know about the rest of the house - it isn't very cold outside of my room because she has the central heat turned on. My room however just doesn't seem to catch much of that heat - or if it does, most of it goes right out the cracks by the windows/sliding glass doors.

In addition to checking the room vents, check the furnace filter. A clogged filter reduces heating efficiency. Then, check the ductwork leading to your room; the furnace ducts should have adjustable dampers near the furnace to control the volume and direction of air flow throughout the house. Any damper that is turned too far closed will slow the heating of the rooms served by the duct. Finally, home centers sell duct insulation that will limit the heat lost through the ducts. Three years ago I insulated the ductwork in my house and cut my heating costs by more than 25%.

HTH
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[arthurb999]

Wood and cardboard isn't that great for insulaiton. I'd still get the plastic...