Bubblelicious

We are trying out another one of Troy's crazy wacky silly unconventional ideas. Windows are one of the prime causes of heat loss in your house.

They're also often the number one culprit in making your house uncomfortable. Ever been in a room that was the right temperature, but just felt chilly? Were you sitting by a window? The cold just radiates off the glass.

We have a mix of new efficient windows and old less-efficient windows. (I think we've removed all of the old terrible windows.) But it's true about all of them. They make you feel cold.

But you can't just get rid of all your windows. You might be warm, but who wants to live like that?

Many people hang heavy drapes and we made insulating blinds for the big windows in the living room and dining room. They make a big difference in the heat loss, but they work as a window as well as the wall does.

Troy's new suggestion was that we add a layer of bubble wrap to the window. Yup, bubble wrap. Sounds silly, but you'll find a lot of proponents with a quick Google search. (It's not like it was Troy's original idea.)

The wrap with large bubbles will work best. You stick it on the window by misting the window with water and then applying a sheet of bubble wrap cut to size with the bubble side toward the window.

You still get a lot of light through the window and once you get used to the idea of not seeing exactly what is outside, it's actually pretty. (It reminds me of frost patterns.)

And of course, you don't have to do all of your windows. If there are some you especially want to see out of, don't do those. But if there's a chilly corner where you like to read at night (for instance), do those windows.

I'd say we're not quite done half of the windows, but it seems to be pretty good so far.

I am enjoying being able to have the blinds up and letting more light into the living room. Previously, I would pull them up for light but then would lower them soon after because I didn't enjoy the chill on the back of my neck!

We had a little trouble with the bubble wrap falling down when we first put them up but it seems to be better now. For one thing, I added a little glycerin to the water as some suggested. (We happen to have it in the house. You can get it at a store with soap making supplies. Others suggested a little dish soap would work as well.) I also think misting the window with a wide, fine spray works better than spraying it like a jet.

When you want to remove the bubble wrap, it comes off easily and doesn't leave any residue behind on the window. (Ok, yes, you will likely have to wash the windows--but there's nothing sticky or difficult to remove. And don't you like to wash your windows in the spring anyway?)

My next problem will be where to store this bulky stuff when it's not on the windows!! (And don't forget to label them before you take them down or you'll never figure out where they go!)

All part of the adventure of trying to build a house that you can heat with a cat.