Anyone ever put tin foil over a window to reflect heat? I did it once in a older house I once lived in, and my husband did in college in his dorm. We put some over a large window today, that faces that backyard ( and the south) . no neighbors can see it, and no one can drive by and see it, so I'm not worried about looking tacky. Just want to save a lil money on AC. I planted two trees in the backyard, but that will take time> Anyone else use tin foil to reflect heat cheaply? We Live in South Dakota
tin foil on windows
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We used to live in an old house that had three window in the west wall of the kitchen. No A/C. Cooking in that kitchen was like being in the fifth level of hell in the summer afternoons.
We took foam board, covered it in foil and cut it to fit those three windows pretty snugly.
It reduced the temp in the kitchen EASILY 20-25 degrees!
I would put the panels up around noon, and remove them in after sunset. Made summer a whole lot nicer!
We took foam board, covered it in foil and cut it to fit those three windows pretty snugly.
It reduced the temp in the kitchen EASILY 20-25 degrees!
I would put the panels up around noon, and remove them in after sunset. Made summer a whole lot nicer!
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Great idea MaryCarney!! Will have to try that on our west facing windows....they are a killer and we don't have AC.....if it ever gets hot. :thud:
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I am not sure - but I think the foamboard had more to do with it than the foil. But I'd definitely do both.
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No, but our neighbors have foil.....in each and every window of their house. It isn't pretty to look at, but maybe they're saving some money. Who knows.
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I wouldn't put it in my windows (even if HOA even allowed it) because of how tacky it looks. If I were that desperate, I would go to the home improvement store and at least buy the foiled insulation wrap. It is like a bubble wrap with a foil type covering. It is much sturdier than regular foil and could be removed in seconds if needed and stored for next season.
No HOA to worry about here, and like I said its in a window where no one can see, and really at this point I'm not going to invest money in that, when this just a temporary fix to lower the electric bill. If I had the money to live in a neighborhood with a HOA I pry would have the money to pay for the electric bill and not have to brainstorm a way to get my bill lower.
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If it was something I felt I needed to do to lower the bill thus conserve some much needed money I'd say the heck with the neighbors and what they thought. They don't pay my bills nor would they want to. That's just me.
I think tho...and I'm not sure if I'm right...you're talking about just the aluminum foil....if you wrapped it around window form fitting cardboard it would withstand better and be able to be put in and taken out easier/better should the need arise.
A lady that used to be on here, Grainlady, used bubblewrap for conserving heat. She said it made a huge difference in inside temps. Others for winters use window quilts.
All same effect on nosy neighbors.
You do what you have to do.
I think tho...and I'm not sure if I'm right...you're talking about just the aluminum foil....if you wrapped it around window form fitting cardboard it would withstand better and be able to be put in and taken out easier/better should the need arise.
A lady that used to be on here, Grainlady, used bubblewrap for conserving heat. She said it made a huge difference in inside temps. Others for winters use window quilts.
All same effect on nosy neighbors.
You do what you have to do.
I have used solar blankets. I think it is the same idea. The only difference is that if I had the curtains closed with the solar blankets I also had the blinds closed. This way no one knew I was using the solar blankets and did not have to worry about the apartment complex complaining.
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I've been thinking about getting that window skin that reflects the sun, but you can still see out of. I haven't seen it in awhile though.
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My windows that I used the foamboard/foil on faced the backyard. But I'd fight the HOA if needed to cool off that awful kitchen.
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Makes a ridiculous difference, doesn't it? About 3 or 4 years ago the lemming population started coming up again and the little buggers killed the big chokecherry tree in our front yard (by eating all the bark under the snow) that shaded our windows. We put foil over a couple of the windows and it makes a dramatic difference. I also put it over the windows in the basement when I used to work shift to block out the sun for sleeping, and for our home theater.
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I have an old home and it still has the original windows and doors!( Built around 1875, additions in 1885 and 1910.)The windows are large, but not so many on the west or north.I have heavy drapes that I can open and shut to block out the sun. All of our west windows have some sort of trellis in front. I can grow beans or things like morning glory during the summer to help block out the heat. In the winter when I need the sun these plants will have died back and I can keep the curtains open.I could not personally use foil because I would feel claustrophobic and I do not like how it looks. But the foil would work . Are you in the country ? We are, and neighbors tend to be less picky about that sort of stuff.
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I will have to try the aluminum foil. I live in an apartment above a bar and the last two days the a/c has been running continuously, because it gets to be around 90 with only the windows open, the ceiling fans going. I will let you all know how it goes.
we live in a town of a 3,000. Its in the 80's today, and is at 73 at the hottest so far upstairs, so I'd say the tin foil has done the trick today. Storms are brewing up and tornado watches are on for tonight so we will chill in the basement where it's in the 60's.
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