Insulate Your Windows and Save a Fortune on Energy Costs: DIY (Do it Yourself)

Being green includes reducing your energy usage for the sake of the environment while in the process reducing the cost of cooling and heating bills. In order to heat and cool your home more efficiently, it is imperative to insulate your windows and fill any leakage surrounding them. Double or even triple-pane windows are initially a rather expensive addition to the home, however this can be avoided. Fortunately, making sure that your windows are well insulated can be effectively done without having to pay a fortune in buying expensive new windows or hiring someone to insulate them for you. You can do it yourself fairly simply by following the simple suggestions outlined below.

By purchasing and installing adhesive weather strips, you will seal any possible gaps between the windows and the window frames. These can be purchased at the hardware store for a relatively cheap price. Most of them are self-adhesive and easy to install by following very simple directions of peeling the back off of the strip and the placing it carefully along the window frame and pressing along the entire length to seal it. Vio la!

You can also opt to buy a complete window insulation kit from the hardware store and install it yourself fairly quickly and easily. By using a hair dryer and some tape with glue on both sides, you can shrink the rubber pieces to fit snugly around the frame of the window. All of these kits include step by step instructions which are simple to follow.

Once your weather strip is firmly installed, double the effort of insulation by covering the entire window with either curtains that are insulated or an insulated roll up shade. Either one of these will create a blockage of undesirable too hot or too cold air from creeping in or seeping in, while keeping the comfortable indoor temperature from seeping out and wasting energy and money.

One other very inexpensive yet very effective method of insulating your windows is something that I recommend using after sealing around window frame; that is with bubble wrap. You know the kind that you use for mailing fragile packages? That is the same stuff. It is very simple to do. Just moisten the window with a misty spraying of water (don not soak the window.. simply dampen it). Next, firmly press the bubble wrap onto the window with the bubble side against the glass. Press it firmly down until you have sealed it over the entire window. This should stay on the window until you choose to remove it. Because of the air in the bubble wrap, it is an excellent fix and can save you a lot in utility bills.