Frost on a window Thomas Tuma via Unsplash

Drafty windows are annoying, uncomfortable and detrimental to the energy efficiency (and energy bills) of your home. Short of replacing all your windows, is there another solution to amend the comfort of your home without breaking the bank? The respond is yes, thanks to window insulation kits.

What is a Window Insulation Kit?

Window insulation kits are simple: clear film that fits over your windows. Yous use the film to your window—not the glass pane itself, but the window frame—and then seal it to the frame with a hair dryer. In some cases, window insulation kits tin reduce heat loss by 35%.

Scientifically, what you're doing is creating a thermal-trapping, airtight air infinite between the plastic movie and the drinking glass window pane. This air space traps heat free energy, helping go along your habitation from losing heat in the wintertime and gaining rut in the summer.

It's the same principle as a double pane window; in double pane windows, two panes of glass are separated by an insulated airspace. The glass slows heat free energy and the air traps it. With a window insulation kit, y'all just take 1 piece of drinking glass, but you as well have that valuable insulating air space.

How Constructive Are Window Insulation Kits?

As noted before, these kits tin reduce rut loss past 35%. Withal, keep in mind that's a best-case scenario that assumes (1) proper installation with a perfect, smooth seal, (2) the drafts are coming through the pane itself and not the window frame and (3) you have single pane windows. Insulation kits will make no deviation on double pane windows.

Other disadvantages include the relative ease with which you tin accidentally puncture the moving picture or knock it loose (specially if you lot have pets) as well every bit the aesthetics. While you can get top-of-the-line kits that are close to clear, information technology's ever going to exist apparent yous have film on your windows, which, to nearly people, simply isn't as attractive every bit a window on its own.

One huge pro to window insulation kits: the cost. You lot tin potentially outfit your entire home for $50, which is less than the cost of one new window.

So, are they worth it?

It depends on your goals. As a long-term solution to energy savings, probably not. Merely equally a short-term solution to a particularly drafty window as you await a new installation, these kits are an inexpensive way to increment the comfort in your home.

Feel costless to contact us at 616-846-1536 and talk to one of our window experts regarding insulation kits, new windows and other ways to increase the free energy efficiency in your dwelling house.