Yeah, new windows can be a game changer, but honestly sometimes just adding those shrink-wrap window insulation kits can make a surprising difference. Way cheaper than replacing everything, and it got me through a couple winters without any ice issues... might be worth a shot first.
Those shrink-wrap kits can help, sure, but they're kind of a temporary band-aid. I tried them once and ended up wrestling with plastic sheets and double-sided tape for hours—felt like I was gift-wrapping my windows for Christmas. Plus, if your frames or seals are shot, you're still losing heat through gaps and cracks. Might be worth checking out weatherstripping or caulking first; cheaper than new windows but more permanent than plastic wrap... unless you enjoy the festive look year-round.
Totally agree about the shrink-wrap kits being a temporary fix. I remember one winter, I spent an entire afternoon sealing up my windows with that stuff—felt pretty proud until the cat decided it was her new scratching post. Instant fail. Anyway, caulking around the frames made a huge difference for me, especially on older wooden windows. Also, don't overlook checking your humidity levels indoors; sometimes icing is more about moisture buildup than drafts alone... learned that one the hard way after blaming ghosts for months.
Good call on the humidity issue—people often overlook that. I've found that running a dehumidifier or even just cracking open a window for a bit each day helps keep moisture levels down. Also, have you checked if your storm windows are properly sealed? I had icing problems until I realized mine weren't fully closed at the top... felt pretty silly once I figured it out. Might be worth double-checking before blaming Casper again, haha.
Definitely agree about checking the seals first—saved me from dropping serious cash on new windows last winter. Also, don't underestimate good curtains; heavy ones made a surprising difference for me. Casper might just be innocent this time...
"Also, don't underestimate good curtains; heavy ones made a surprising difference for me."
Totally second this. Last winter, I was convinced my windows were shot—ice buildup, drafts, the works. Decided to experiment before shelling out for replacements:
- Checked and replaced seals (cheap fix, noticeable improvement).
- Added thick thermal curtains (honestly shocked how much warmer the room felt).
- Even rearranged furniture slightly away from the windows to improve airflow.
After all that, no more icing up. Still curious though—anyone else notice condensation patterns changing drastically depending on indoor humidity levels? I started running a dehumidifier occasionally and that seemed to help too. Casper might be off the hook this round...
Decided to experiment before shelling out for replacements:- Checked and replaced seals (cheap fix, noticeable improvement). - Added thick thermal curtains (honestly shocked how much warmer the r...
I noticed humidity makes a huge difference too. Last year, I blamed my windows until I realized drying laundry indoors was the real culprit...who knew socks could cause window drama? Did running your dehumidifier noticeably bump up your electric bill?
Last year, I blamed my windows until I realized drying laundry indoors was the real culprit...who knew socks could cause window drama?
Running my dehumidifier definitely helped, but yeah, it did bump up the electric bill a bit—maybe $15-20 extra per month during peak winter. Still cheaper than new windows though. Funny you mentioned laundry...I had a similar issue with cooking soups and stews. Didn't realize how much steam was building up until I saw condensation literally dripping down the glass. Now I always run the exhaust fan or crack a window slightly when cooking, and it made a noticeable difference.
I've noticed the cooking thing too, especially with pasta or boiling potatoes...the windows fog up almost instantly. Curious though, has anyone checked their humidity levels with an actual hygrometer? I got one last winter and was surprised how high mine was indoors—around 60%! Dropping it closer to 40% made a huge difference in condensation and comfort. Maybe worth checking before investing in new windows or running the dehumidifier constantly.
I picked up a cheap hygrometer last year too and was shocked how humid it actually was inside—hovering around 65%. Dropping it down helped a ton with window condensation. Still get some fogging when cooking pasta though...guess that's just life with carbs, lol.