(WIFR) - The heaters have been working overtime this past week with morning wind chills well below zero. Companies claim that we can reduce our heating bills by nearly 30% by putting plastic wrap over our windows, but is that true?
Thermal resistance is measured with R-values. Plastic has an R-value of about .85, which means it’s not the best at insulation. For comparison, a double-paned window has an R-value of 2 and an insulated wall has an R-value of about 12 to 19. wire heat shrink
However, the real impact of the plastic wrap comes in how it creates a seal from the outside. Old windows often don’t have the best seals and can be drafty. Plastic wrap creates a secondary barrier, stopping cold air from getting inside and warm air from getting out. Since heat isn’t escaping, you may be able to save a bit on your heating bill.
If you have any drafty windows, or just want an extra layer of protection from the outside cold, the process and supplies are fairly basic.
For supplies, all you need is plastic wrap, double sided tape, scissors and a hair dryer. If you don’t have these supplies, there are inexpensive kits you can get from any hardware store. With all the supplies in hand, start by putting the double sided tape around the frame of the window. From there, place the plastic on the tape and loosely trim the excess. Now use your hair drier to shrink the plastic wrap, removing wrinkles in the process and creating a tight seal around your window.
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