Comments on: Energy Efforts that Don’t Pay Off

By: parzivalxf

parzivalxf — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:55:03 +0000

I have to join in with those who disagree about the plastic film. Its usefulness depends on your situation. We have a 100 year old home in a historic district. There are strict requirements for replacing the original single-pane windows. The replacement windows are very expensive and we can’t afford them. Furthermore, the windows are required to remain functioning (which matters for resale), so you can’t just paint over or seal them shut. Unfortunately, we haven’t found any weatherstripping that works sufficiently well. So what do we do? We use the plastic film to reduce drafts and it makes a big difference.

I agree that ventilation is important — but the key is controlled ventilation, not just random drafts. For comfort in our rooms, it really does matter where the ventilation comes from! Sitting near a big, drafty window in cold weather is very uncomfortable. So… on goes the plastic film in the winter. We’ve never had trouble taking it off in the spring to open the windows. Perhaps it depends on the brand you choose.

By: Gina Delorenzi

Gina Delorenzi — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:09:18 +0000

I would be very interested in hearing more people’s experiences with lowering the thermostat from 68 to 65 and saving money. Are the savings less if the energy source is electricity rather than gas or oil? Does Martin have data on the subject when the heat source is electricity, as well as the subject Erin Kathleen raised. She wondered if the savings are there if one is starting at a higher temperature, such as 70 or 72.

By: Erin Kathleen

Erin Kathleen — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:31:03 +0000

I have to say that lowing my heat by a couple of degrees is not saving me any money, like they say, and only making me unhappy during the winter months. We keep our heat at 68 and are comfortable. We lowered it to 65 for a month and didn’t save a dime on our heating bill, not to mention we were freezing. Maybe it is only for people who keep their heat set at 70 or 72 but every time I hear “it can save you money” I want to yell!

By: N.

N. — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 06:08:23 +0000

Like Julie, we also used the plastic film this year, on our 1930′s windows, and it has made a world of a difference. We can physically feel a temperature change, as well as see one in our monthly bills. We did cover the entire frame, as that makes a huge difference.

By: SavvyChristine

SavvyChristine — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 20:36:24 +0000

I have real issues with the bottled water companies that claim you should drink their water because their plastic bottles contain x% less plastic. Like Poland Spring: I don’t care that your bottles have 30% less plastic, it’s still bottled water. I can bring my own tap water, thank you very much! It’s almost green-washing, but not quite.

By: Katie

Katie — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:02:01 +0000

Hi Julie. Thanks for speaking up about your experience. I’m guessing you didn’t just cover the windows with plastic, but also the frames. Like you said, ill-fit windows with poor sealing do leak. Those cold drafts will exist, and that plastic barrier will help. In the average home, the windows will fit properly, and the plastic is useless because most people don’t put it on the frames. They just cover the glass.

You have us super curious about the savings you found now. Martin is an electric engineer obsessed with energy efficiency and loss. I know exactly how much it costs in hot water (which is metered and billed in Germany) and electricity to run the dishwasher and everything else in the house just because he likes to figure it out. (Our house is wild on Friday nights, huh?!) I promise not to let him loose near your home, Julie!

Congrats on the great savings in your bills. It must be wonderful to see!

Katie