How to Use 3M Window Film To Save On Your Heating Bills

Use 3M Window Film to drastically cut your energy bills this winter.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 3M Window Film with double sided tape
• A hairdryer
• Scissors

1. Go to a local hardware store and purchase 3M window film. Window film is sold in a variety of sizes. Buy film in sizes large enough to cover your largest windows. It can always be cut down. Make sure you have a professional grade hairdryer as well.

2. Apply the film to your windows. First, take the roll of double sided tape that comes with the film and outline the edge of the frame. Next, place the film over the double sided tape so that the film is completely sealed around the edges with tape.

3. Trim the excess material.

4. Take a hairdryer and slowly blow dry the film on high heat. Hold the hairdryer away from the surface of the film so it doesn't melt through the plastic.

5. As the film heats, it will tighten, trapping an insulating layer of air between the window pane and the plastic.

6. Continue applying heat until the plastic is taut and you can see clearly out the window through the plastic.

7. Make sure their are no holes in the plastic or places where the double sided tape lifted up. If the double side tape lifts up, apply more tape and retighten the plastic with a hairdryer.

8. Covering your windows with window film saves tremendous amounts of money on your heating bills.

9. Pay special attention to cover single pane windows, or windows with cracks or gaps leading to the outside.

10. 3M Window Film can not be reused once it has been taken down. You'll need to buy more and reapply it next winter.

11. It takes a few hours to cover the leaky windows in an average size house or apartment.

[wcv12]

on 9/28/2009 Great advice, this is a another way to make your window energy efficient!
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/2579262/west_coast_vinyl/

[shawnlogan]

on 1/17/2009 A nice guide. Although I have found one flaw/foible to applying plastic film on the windows; the frame and sill affects the ability to get it on straight. If your window frame has decorative features and an obtrusive sill, you have to wrap the film around it causing uneven application. I have an older house with just such frames and it was a pain to apply. At the bottom, I had to put the tape on the sill instead of the frame. Because of this the film was barely long enough. Also, during shrinking the film started to peal up and I had to apply more. This results in wrinkles, gaps and potential loss of an airtight seal. But at least some protection is better than none. Also, unusual sized windows results in waste film. I suggest this method as a temporary solution. Then, during the warm months, look at more permanent solutions. I, for one, don't want to have to do this every winter.