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• If you want storm windows on your home, but don’t want the expense of installing
conventional ones, you can make plastic windows which can be applied to the inside of your windows.


• An uninsulated drape can cut window heat loss by one-third. An insulated drape can
reduce it by 50 percent.


• Drapes save energy effectively only if they fit tightly against the window and the floor.
Usually this means a valance at the top, side guides and a weighted hem. Or try adding in edge seals such as Velcro or magnetic strips.


• If you install window covering on a window that faces north, you could save 2 to 3
percent of your home heating and cooling costs. The savings increase significantly if you put the same covering on windows facing south and west.


• Other window coverings can be effective energy savers (but only if they fit tightly).



• Even a vinyl shade can cut heat loss in half. More elaborate shades, such as quilted
curtains, can cut the losses even more. Venetian and vertical blinds, however, are the least effective energy savers since they have so many gaps.


• On sunny winter days, open drapes to let the warm sunlight in; close them at night to
retain heat; close them on hot sunny summer days to keep heat out.


• Install white blinds on the south-and west-facing windows to keep the sun from
broiling your house in summer.

Door and Window Frame Energy Savers

• Caulk cracks that have no moving parts such as places where a wall meets the outside
edge of a window frame.


• To determine where to use weatherstripping-cleverly-designed strips of felt, rubber,
plastic or metal that fill spaces between the frame and doors or windows and compress when you shut them-hold your hand to various spots around window and door frames some evening when your house is at least 20 degrees warmer than the outdoors. If you feel any drafts, they need weatherstripping.


• Seal leaks around electrical switches and outlets. Gaskets are available that fit behind
the switch plates and keep out a surprising amount of draftiness. You can install them yourself with just a screwdriver. There are no electrical connections between the plate screw and the circuit. But to be entirely safe, you can remove the proper fuse or trip open a circuit breaker before you start installation.

Claverack REC - People You Can Count On

Office Hours: Monday Through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Outage Phone Numbers -- 1-800-356-9799 or 570-268-1370