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My home, which was built many years ago, has old single pane glass windows, and is there anyway to improve the efficiency of those windows (regarding heating and cooling of the home) without replacing the windows? Thanks.
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Posted in Discussion
first close and lock the windows. If you have storm windows then make sure they are closed. The next thing would be to check fro leaks around the windows on a windy day with a candle. Watch the flame.
Next would be to place towels on the sills. check the outside caulk.
You can add a reflective window film which can be purchased at a local home improvement warehouse. It is not exactly cheap and it would darken the light coming into your house.
There are a couple of things you can do:
1) Use plastic wrap window kits to cut down on drafts in the winter.
2) Use heavy curtains and blinds.
3) In the winter during the day open the curtains and blinds and close them when the sun goes down. In the summer keep the blinds closed on the sunny side of the house.
Replacement windows and re insulation of your home can pay themselves back fairly quickly especially with high energy costs, but the above suggestions can help in the short term.
Good luck.
there is a shrink wrap type of window paper at home depot put that up on windows not opened often