As we touched on briefly in a recent ‘New Home Week’ post, a major source of energy loss are windows, especially if they are old. One answer is to install new replacement windows that have a high R-value. A less expensive (and simple!) option is to seal the windows using heat-shrink plastic.

Sold as kits that contain sheets of plastic film and double-faced tape, they are available in various sizes to fit different windows and doors. For a few dollars per window you can form an almost invisible shield that will seal the windows and form a draft- and moisture-resistant barrier, thereby increasing the R-value of the window. When properly installed, the barrier can last for the entire heating season. To shrink the plastic, you use an ordinary hair dryer.

Photo credit: Creative Home Owner