Preparing for Winter, Part 1


It looks like I'm going to have to do the same thing again this year, which is to put plastic up on all the windows. Since this is an old house, ALL the windows really need replacement. And since I can't afford to replace them, well, anything that keeps a dead air space is a good thing. I've been looking at the online Rollback Savings at Walmart.com, specifically for the window shrink wrap kits and weather stripping, and I'm not finding them. I do know that I can get them at the store, so I'm not going to sweat it... Anyhow, these kits use double sided tape to attach a plastic "pane" to the frame, then use a blowdryer to shrink and tighten the plastic. I've been using either these, or a heavier gauge plastic someone gave my on my windows for years. It does keep the wind from whistling through the house, thereby saving heating costs.

Another project that is happening now is the floor in front of my 2 basement doors. Seems that over the years the boards have softened,and in the one case, appear to be termite chewed (the house was treated before I bought it, I insisted). I may not be able to apply as much insulation as I may wish under the floors, but I can put something under there... The kitchen has always been a bit cold in winter. I'd *really* like to run subfloor heating in there, but that may be next years project, or the year after...

It seems that there is a lot more to the whole conversion than I first thought...
But it all comes down to efficiency, and making the most out of the least...