Had a similar experience here. We initially blamed our huge living room windows for the high heating bills, but after running a thermal camera around the house, we found tons of hidden leaks—especially around recessed lighting and attic access points. Once we sealed those gaps and beefed up attic insulation, the difference was night and day. Windows matter, sure, but it's surprising how much heat sneaks out through spots you'd never even think about...
Interesting points for sure, but honestly, windows can still be a pretty big culprit. We did the whole thermal camera thing too, and yeah, sealing attic gaps and recessed lights helped a ton. But even after all that, our huge windows were still noticeably colder to the touch in winter. We ended up adding some heavy curtains and cellular shades, and it made a surprising difference in comfort (and bills). I think it depends a lot on the age and quality of your windows too—ours were older double-pane ones, not exactly top-of-the-line. So while I totally agree about hidden leaks being sneaky heat thieves, I'd say don't underestimate how much heat you can lose through big glass surfaces either...
Yeah, older windows definitely lose heat, but honestly I've installed plenty of newer triple-pane ones and homeowners still notice some chill. Glass is glass—it's never gonna insulate like a solid wall does. Curtains help, but there's always a trade-off with big windows...
Totally get that. I remember doing a job a couple years back—huge floor-to-ceiling windows facing north. Homeowners loved the view, but come winter they were always bundled up indoors. We swapped out their old single-pane glass for some high-end triple-pane, and yeah, it helped...but they still mentioned feeling a chill when sitting close by. Glass just can't compete with solid insulation, no matter how fancy it gets. Curtains or blinds definitely help, but like you said, it's always a trade-off between views and warmth.
Haha, reading this thread makes me nervous—I just bought my first house and fell in love with the big south-facing windows in the living room. Am I doomed to freeze all winter, or is south-facing a bit better than north? 😅
I was thinking of getting some thermal curtains to pull shut at night, but does that actually make a noticeable difference, or is it more like a placebo effect? Also, is there any point in trying those clear insulating films you stick on windows, or is that just throwing money away?
Honestly, I didn't even think about heating bills when I saw those windows... rookie mistake maybe. But hey, at least I'll have a nice view while wrapped up in blankets on my couch, right?
South-facing windows are actually pretty decent for winter sun—they let in warmth during the day, which can help offset heating costs a bit. Thermal curtains do make a noticeable difference, especially if they're thick and you close them at dusk. The insulating films...eh, mixed results in my experience. Are your windows double-pane or single-pane? That can really change things.
"The insulating films...eh, mixed results in my experience."
Yeah, same here. Tried those insulating films last winter, and honestly, I couldn't tell if they were doing much. Maybe a slight improvement, but nothing dramatic enough to justify the hassle of putting them up and dealing with the bubbles and wrinkles. Plus, my cat decided it was her personal mission to shred them within a week, so that didn't exactly help matters.
Thermal curtains, though—those are legit. We have some thick blackout ones in our bedroom, and you can actually feel the difference when you open them in the morning. Definitely worth the investment, especially if your windows aren't the best.
Speaking of windows, ours are double-pane, but they're older and probably not sealed as well as they used to be. I've been debating whether it's worth it to upgrade to newer double-pane or even triple-pane windows. Anyone here made that jump? Curious if the energy savings actually justify the upfront cost, or if it's mostly marketing hype.
I've worked with plenty of homeowners who've tried those insulating films, and honestly, your experience isn't uncommon. They're decent for a quick fix, but rarely do they deliver the kind of noticeable change people are hoping for. Your cat's sabotage mission made me chuckle—reminds me of a client whose dog tore down every film-covered window within days.
Thermal curtains definitely make a difference, especially in older homes or if your windows are past their prime. As for upgrading windows, I've seen mixed results. Triple-pane windows can significantly reduce drafts and noise, but the energy savings vary widely based on your climate and house construction. A client of mine upgraded from older double-pane to triple-pane windows last year; they noticed improved comfort immediately, but the actual heating bill savings weren't huge. It's more about comfort and noise reduction than dramatic cost savings, in my experience. If your current windows are still structurally sound, sometimes just resealing or weatherstripping can give you decent results without the big investment.
"If your current windows are still structurally sound, sometimes just resealing or weatherstripping can give you decent results without the big investment."
Totally agree with this. I resealed mine last fall—cost next to nothing and the drafts were way less noticeable. Still, thermal curtains made the biggest difference in comfort...and cat-proofing.
I dunno...I tried resealing mine last winter and honestly didn't notice much difference. Maybe I did it wrong, but the drafts were still pretty noticeable. Ended up biting the bullet and replacing a couple windows—painful upfront, but way warmer now.