Does Plastic Window Insulation Help Reduce Energy Costs?

Plastic window insulation can be a great way to save money on your heating and cooling costs. Even a thin sheet of plastic is remarkably good at trapping heat, which means your heating system won't have to work as hard to keep your home warm. This can lead to a reduction in fuel consumption and lower energy bills. According to Energy.gov, plastic window insulation can save you 10-30% on heating and cooling costs, while adding a single layer of window film can result in a 33% reduction in heat loss for windows only, or about 14% for the whole house. However, it's important to note that using plastic window insulation can encourage moisture build-up, which can damage the window and surrounding areas over time.

Plastic window insulation can save you 10%–30% on heating and cooling costs

The material insulation is made of (e.g. fibreglass, styrofoam, rock wool) doesn't directly contribute to making your house warmer. Instead, it traps air and prevents that air from moving. It's the trapped air that insulates.

Plastic window insulation works in a similar way. Even a thin sheet of plastic is remarkably good at trapping heat. By applying plastic sheeting over a window, you can limit the transference of heat. This means your heating system will kick in less frequently, reducing your fuel consumption.

Adding a single layer of window film to every window in a house would take double-pane windows from R2.0 to R3.0, representing a 33% reduction in heat loss for the windows only, or about 14% on the whole house.

The higher the temperature difference is in your climate, the more helpful it will be to reduce airflow and increase insulation. Plastic window coverings add another barrier against thermal conduction.

Plastic window insulation can reduce fuel consumption

Applying plastic sheeting over a window limits the transference of heat. For homeowners, this translates to reduced fuel consumption. With more heat contained within the home, your heating system will kick in less frequently. According to Energy.gov, plastic window insulation can save you 10-30% on heating and cooling costs. Adding a single layer of window film to every window in a house would take the double-pane windows from R2.0 to R3.0, and represent a 33% reduction in heat loss for the windows only, or about 14% on the whole house.

However, it's worth noting that using plastic window insulation can encourage moisture build-up, which can damage the window and surrounding areas over time.

Plastic window insulation can reduce heat loss by 33%

Plastic window insulation is a good way to make your home more energy-efficient and less prone to cold drafts. It's also a lot cheaper than replacing your windows entirely. While it may have some downsides, such as encouraging moisture build-up, it is reasonably effective as a wintertime insulator. It can save you 10-30% on heating and cooling costs, or 10-20% on your energy bills.

Plastic window insulation can cause moisture build-up

Adding a single layer of window film to every window in a house can represent a 33% reduction in heat loss for the windows only, or about 14% on the whole house. According to Energy.gov, plastic window insulation can save you 10%–30% on heating and cooling costs.

The higher the temperature difference is for your climate, the more helpful it will be to reduce airflow and increase insulation. Airflow reduction is usually easier, and cheaper, and more effective than adding insulation.

Plastic window insulation is a cheap alternative to replacing windows

According to Energy.gov, plastic window insulation can save you 10%–30% on heating and cooling costs. Other sources suggest that applying a single layer of window film to every window in a house would represent a 33% reduction in heat loss for the windows only, or about 14% on the whole house.

However, it is important to note that using plastic window insulation can encourage moisture build-up, which can damage the window and surrounding areas over time.

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