With your windows cleaned and old weatherstripping removed it’s time to solve those pesky leaks. Your local hardware store should stock everything you need to get the job done right and start realizing immediate savings. It’s important that you follow these steps and future tips on improving energy efficiency. While this blog is intended to focus primarily on portable heating and cooling, failure to prepare your home will negate any real savings these wonder products would help you otherwise realize.
For double-hung windows you want two kinds of insulation. The first is V-channel insulation. This is basically a strip that slides into the channels or tracks in which your windows rise and fall. You’ll want to cut strips of V-channel insulation an inch longer than needed for easy removal later. Be sure to read the directions included with your V-channel insulation as different materials require different installation techniques. Bronze V-channel strips, for example, require nailing every few inches to keep it from buckling or bunching as your windows slide. Home owners often overlook this important area and only realize partial improvement when they install your second insulation which is the self-adhesive foam or rubber insulation at the contact points and seams.
Self-adhesive rubber weatherstrip tape is an easy to install, low-cost window insulation that can really help you realize savings. It’s as simple as cutting to length, peeling off the backing and installing on all contact points and gaps. There are a variety of options available when it comes to self-adhesive rubber weatherstrip but your main consideration is size. Ensure that your selection is both wide enough and thick enough to seal any voids.
I’d love to lengthen this post by over complicating weatherstripping and window insulation but it really isn’t complicated enough to warrant an overlong post. Clear directions are generally included with your purchase, the costs are relatively low and the savings potential high. The one area where you might have difficulty is in caulking around the outer perimeter of the window. If you haven’t caulked before, it can be a frustrating and messy endeavor. That said, it’s one step in the window insulation process you don’t want to overlook. Your heating bill and your portable heater will thank you for it.