Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Godless Dave · 02-21-2003, 02:42 PM

Well I did it. I covered my windows in plastic.

Not to keep out bioweapons, to keep out drafts. The low tonight is predicted to be 2 degrees F (-8 C). The high tomorrow: 17 (-8 C). I know it's the middle of winter and I'll just have to take it down in three months, but it's been damn cold in my house!

Anyway, this contributes to homeland security because it will reduce my consumption of natural gas. Less gas consumption means lower gas prices, making natural gas more attractive than imported oil, which should take a little pressure off our oil imports, which will give us less motivation to be fucking around in the middle east. Maybe.

Anyway, here are some pics:

Hanging the plastic (I used double-faced tape, not duct tape):

Shrinking it tight with a hair drier:

Manta · 02-21-2003, 02:53 PM

Dad used to, in the winter, take sheets of (?)lexan(?) (some sort of plastic panels) and had these little wooden stops that he put up to hold the panels onto the windows for extra insulation. Worked like a dream, and no wasted plastic to go into the rubbish heap in the summer.

I think you're just hiding that tinfoil hat underthere somewhere, though

YMMV though

Derec · 02-21-2003, 03:10 PM

Dave,

if your windows are drafty, wouldn't it make more sense to invest in some new windows?

Don't forget to tell us how much natural gas you managed to save this way though.

UMoC

godlessmath · 02-21-2003, 03:25 PM

Quote:

(I used double-faced tape, not duct tape)

Good. Don't use all your duct tape. Need that duct tape. Terra...

Ab_Normal · 02-21-2003, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by UglyManOnCampus
Dave,

if your windows are drafty, wouldn't it make more sense to invest in some new windows?

Don't forget to tell us how much natural gas you managed to save this way though.

UMoC

Ouch, that's a sore spot you've got your thumb in, UMoC! (I know you didn't mean it.)

As another homeowner with plastic-covered windows, I'd love to buy new windows so my husband doesn't have to go through this every winter, but I can't afford them, and I'm highly averse to accumulating even more debt. So we grit our teeth and do the small, repeating expense instead of the one large expense. Sigh.

Godless Dave · 02-21-2003, 04:17 PM

10 windows X $200/window = $2000

And that's only to replace the oldest, draftiest ones.

Straight Hate · 02-21-2003, 04:18 PM

...And, as an expert window-maker, $200/window is on the low end of the cost scale.

02-21-2003, 02:42 PM	#1
Godless Dave Contributor Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: With 10,000 lakes who needs a coast? Posts: 10,762	Homeland security Well I did it. I covered my windows in plastic. Not to keep out bioweapons, to keep out drafts. The low tonight is predicted to be 2 degrees F (-8 C). The high tomorrow: 17 (-8 C). I know it's the middle of winter and I'll just have to take it down in three months, but it's been damn cold in my house! Anyway, this contributes to homeland security because it will reduce my consumption of natural gas. Less gas consumption means lower gas prices, making natural gas more attractive than imported oil, which should take a little pressure off our oil imports, which will give us less motivation to be fucking around in the middle east. Maybe. Anyway, here are some pics: Hanging the plastic (I used double-faced tape, not duct tape): Shrinking it tight with a hair drier:

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02-21-2003, 02:53 PM	#2
Manta Regular Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: St Somewhere Posts: 352	Dad used to, in the winter, take sheets of (?)lexan(?) (some sort of plastic panels) and had these little wooden stops that he put up to hold the panels onto the windows for extra insulation. Worked like a dream, and no wasted plastic to go into the rubbish heap in the summer. I think you're just hiding that tinfoil hat underthere somewhere, though YMMV though

02-21-2003, 03:10 PM	#3
Derec Contributor Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 15,686	Dave, if your windows are drafty, wouldn't it make more sense to invest in some new windows? Don't forget to tell us how much natural gas you managed to save this way though. UMoC

02-21-2003, 04:17 PM	#6
Godless Dave Contributor Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: With 10,000 lakes who needs a coast? Posts: 10,762	10 windows X $200/window = $2000 And that's only to replace the oldest, draftiest ones.

02-21-2003, 04:18 PM	#7
Straight Hate Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 4,171	...And, as an expert window-maker, $200/window is on the low end of the cost scale.

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