Heating and Cooling

A Guide to the Best heating and Cooling Solutions

In this age of energy consumption and money awareness, reducing the heating and cooling required for your home just makes sense. Curtains and drapes and energy efficient windows are two items that can help keep the heat provided by your heaters and the cool air from your cooling appliances inside your home.


Closed windows that allow air in and out of your house can cause all of your heating and cooling efforts to fail. They can also cause you to lose the savings promised on the purchase of energy efficient heaters.

Curtain and drapes have been used mainly for privacy. However, the addition of an insulating layer to these window coverings can keep the cool air leaking in from the window out of the room that you are heating. You can purchase an insulated liner that attaches to your existing curtain and drapes or buy new ones that are made out of insulated fabric. If you sew, you can purchase insulated lining fabric to make your own cooling insulated curtains and drapes.

For even larger savings on heating and cooling, consider replacement windows. Single-pane windows waste energy and require a lot of maintenance. Vinyl replacement windows can be purchased from many manufacturers. And the heating costs you save can pay for these energy efficient windows within a few years. There are many companies who offer installation services for replacement windows, or several hardware stores offer instructions to install them yourself.

When you are shopping for replacement windows, be sure to compare the following things:

  • The grade of the PVC in the window. Lower grades can bend, bow, discolor, and show scratches.
  • Durability and strength in the sill of the window. Make sure that the windows are designed to withstand the maximum wind speeds in your area.
  • Construction materials. Look for minimal use of staples, screws, and caulk.
  • Security features. Locks should be strong and easily engaged. Locking mechanisms should not be easily jammed.
  • The R-factor (insulation value) per linear inch the window frame. Higher is better – some even claim to be rated as high as a refrigerator door.