Hello,
Due to the grotesque electricity prices, I am feverishly thinking about all the ways to keep the bills down this winter. We live in a house from 1929 with mostly old-fashioned double-glazed windows that leak heat like a sieve in winter. Ideally, they should be renovated, re-puttied, etc., but I won't have time to do it before winter, and it's too expensive to contract out (if anyone could even take on such a project on time now). I was thinking the other day about sewing a lot of curtains to cover all the windows, but that's also a lot of work and money, plus it would be rather dreary to spend a few months in darkness.
Through some articles about greenhouse insulation with bubble wrap, I came across a comment suggesting that polycarbonate sheets might do a good job. Has anyone tried this in practice? In theory, it sounds like a good idea. My thought is to cut out a neat rectangle that is then attached to the inside of the window frame, enclosing everything. In my mind, you then get two new air gaps, one in the polycarbonate itself and one between the polycarbonate sheet and the window. It seems like it wouldn't be insignificant in cost, but it might be worth it if it noticeably reduces heat leakage. A major advantage is that it still allows plenty of light and could be reused for several years.
What does the panel say? Ignorance and idiocy, or something that could work?
Due to the grotesque electricity prices, I am feverishly thinking about all the ways to keep the bills down this winter. We live in a house from 1929 with mostly old-fashioned double-glazed windows that leak heat like a sieve in winter. Ideally, they should be renovated, re-puttied, etc., but I won't have time to do it before winter, and it's too expensive to contract out (if anyone could even take on such a project on time now). I was thinking the other day about sewing a lot of curtains to cover all the windows, but that's also a lot of work and money, plus it would be rather dreary to spend a few months in darkness.
Through some articles about greenhouse insulation with bubble wrap, I came across a comment suggesting that polycarbonate sheets might do a good job. Has anyone tried this in practice? In theory, it sounds like a good idea. My thought is to cut out a neat rectangle that is then attached to the inside of the window frame, enclosing everything. In my mind, you then get two new air gaps, one in the polycarbonate itself and one between the polycarbonate sheet and the window. It seems like it wouldn't be insignificant in cost, but it might be worth it if it noticeably reduces heat leakage. A major advantage is that it still allows plenty of light and could be reused for several years.
What does the panel say? Ignorance and idiocy, or something that could work?
For single glazing and inner windows, you use a paper strip that you moisten and cover the gaps with towards the room. Standard window, put the inner window in place and then "tape" the gaps. It should work on double glazing too. Not that it makes a huge difference but it doesn't draft straight through and since it's paper, it still breathes.
Do like the Americans. Put up a plastic on the inside. Something like this: https://www.clasohlson.com/se/Tesa-...sbTrykD5024vwDMBHspeLyIoZ1jT27WBoC_mkQAvD_BwE
We have regular double-glazed windows in the chicken coop, and in the winter we attach a simple wooden frame with clear construction plastic on the inside.
It actually makes a noticeable difference.
However, both the view in and out becomes somewhat diffuse.
It actually makes a noticeable difference.
However, both the view in and out becomes somewhat diffuse.
No, it doesn't have much to do with aesthetics, just desperately trying to keep the electricity down as much as possible.G gaia said:
Interesting reading, I'm considering adding insulation to my existing 70's 2-glass windows, either with an internal plastic sheet between the current panes since my windows can be separated, noting that there are convenient solutions for this. Or buying cassettes to mount indoors and externally. Those of you who have had them for at least one winter, if you haven't done any measurements, could you measure with an IR thermometer in the middle of the window indoors on a piece of masking tape and report the outside temperature, indoor temperature, and in the middle of the window? It would be interesting to know the difference before/after insulation as well if anyone has statistics on this. I have just measured mine with both an IR thermometer and a thermal camera. I have an outside temperature of -15 and an indoor temperature of 20–23, and the old windows are 10–12 degrees while my new 3-glass Swedish windows with an extra insulation value of 0.9 are at 18.5 degrees, so there's definitely a difference between "real 3-glass with gas" and old.
Feel free to get in touch if you still hang out here and see this, or if you new ones have done the same effort and share your experiences =)
Best regards!
Feel free to get in touch if you still hang out here and see this, or if you new ones have done the same effort and share your experiences =)
Best regards!