What a simple way to save many and conserve energy!
Go diectly to the webpage for pictures!
Bubble Wrap Window Insulation
I've used bubble wrap on windows for two three years now, and I'm amazed how quick and easy it is. This year, we are even covering the windows in the guest room -- we just take the bubble wrap down when guests come, and put it back up when they leave -- 15 seconds a window.
This is a simple technique for insulating windows with bubble wrap packing material. Bubble wrap is often used to insulate greenhouse windows in the winter, but it also seems to work fine for windows in the house. You can use it with or without regular or insulating window shades. It also works for windows of irregular shape, which can be difficult to find insulating shades for.
The view through the bubble wrapped window is fuzzy, so don't use it on windows where you need a clear view. But, it does let plenty of light through.
Suggestion from Pat:
"Bubble wrap small bubble and large can be had for free by contacting furniture retailers or rental shops. They throw it away by the tons!"
I've heard the same thing for places that sell canoes.
Installation
- Cut the bubble wrap to the size of the window pane with scissors.
- Spray a film of water on the window using a spray bottle.
- Apply the bubble wrap while the window is still wet.
- If you have trouble with the bubble wrap separating from the window when the film dries, you can try adding a little Glycerin to the water, but this probably won't be necessary.
The wrap can be installed in the fall, and removed in the spring. Judging by how mine looks after a year, it may last quite a while.
When you take the bubble wrap down, put a small number in on the upper right corner of each piece of bubble wrap, and write down which window that number goes with on a piece of paper. Save the paper for the installation next fall. This tells you instantly where each sheet goes, and which way its oriented.
The bubble wrap that I used is from Charlie's Greenhouse in Seattle. They claim that it is made for greenhouse service, and will stand up to the sun longer. I suspect that ordinary packing bubble wrap may do about as well (someone could do a test, and let us know). When buying bubble wrap, look for a company that specializes in packing materials. Places like UPS will sell you bubble wrap, but the prices are high.
Payoff
The bubble wrap has a short payback in cold climates. About 3 months for single glazed windows, and less than a year for double glazed widows. Details on payback:
For an 7000 deg-day climate (northern US), and single glazed windows, the bubble wrap increases the R value from 1 to 2. Heat losses with and without bubble wrap for 1 sqft of window are:
Heat loss w/o wrap = (7000 deg-day)(1 ft^2) (24 hr/day) / (1 ft^2-F/BTU) = 168K BTU per season
Heat loss with wrap = (7000 deg-day)(1 ft^2) (24 hr/day) / (2 ft^2-F/BTU) = 88K BTU per season
If you are heating with natural gas at $1 per therm in an 80% efficient furnace, then the saving for 1 sqft of wrap for the season is:
Saving per sqft = ($1)(168K - 88K)/(100K*0.8) = $1.10 per season per sqft
The bubble wrap cost about $0.30 per sqft, so the payback period is about 3 months -- not to bad!
If you repeat the numbers above for double glazed windows, the saving is $0.40 per sqft per season, and the payback period is a bit less than one heating season.
Project: Bubble Wrap Window Insulation
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