The vital part that windows play in improving energy efficiency in houses is underscored in the conversation. The National Fenestration Rating Council states that if the windows of a house are functioning poorly, they can be responsible for up to 35% of the home’s overall energy loss. To remedy this situation, the conversation recommends that certain types of homeowners—those with poor window conditions, single-pane glass, and corded blinds or shades—should undertake one or several window upgrades.
An efficient way to test windows is to use a candle. If the flame flickers or goes out, you’ve got a draft. It also works to use a lighter or match along the window’s edge. If you can feel air coming through, the window’s not doing its job. Take care of any inefficient spots you find, and you’ll keep more of your heated or cooled air inside where it belongs.
People who are on a budget and cannot invest in new windows have alternatives. One option is to use plastic film on the interior of the windows, creating an insulating barrier between the glass and the living space. This film is available at most retailers that sell window shades and blinds, and it comes with installation instructions that are easy to follow. The end result, when using this method, should be a neat and unobtrusive look. The materials used are designed to be as invisible as possible while insulating and improving the comfort of rooms next to windows.
To sum up, the text provides real-world advice for curtains and other window treatments. It presents the lined drapery as a must for windows, and it also discusses the kinds of shades and blinds available, their various operations, and the importance of having all these window features properly controlled so as to maintain good insulation and comfort in the many kinds of rooms we inhabit.
