Plastic Windows?

The reason normal double-sealed windows are such a heat drain in the winter is that glass does not offer much protection against the transfer of heat outside. Actually, glass is a good conductor of heat. The fact that there are two panes helps against this conduction but not by much.

Inside ordinary double-pane windows is an inert gas or dry air. When the outside pane is cold and the inside one is warm (from the heat in the house) a mini-climate is takes place. There is a convection current that begins to circle the inside of the window because of the heating and cooling of the gas or air inside the window. So, instead of adding an insulation value this cycle speeds up the transferring of heat to the outside.

One easy way to combat this loss of heat is a very simple procedure - putting a plastic sheet up on the window sash. Plastic does not conduct very well and acts as a thermal break. It is easy to do. Put two-way tape on the window frame and attaching the plastic. The thin plastic film is then heated until it stretches tight. It is very transparent and soon you have a window that can as much as R-6.

You can buy this plastic at hardware stores. For a couple of days of installing you can save hundreds in heating costs. Then, in the spring, take it down and put it away until next year!