Here’s how simple bubble wrap can save you heating.
In winter, reducing heating costs while maintaining a comfortable interior is a real challenge. And the time to turn off its radiators is still far away. While waiting for the end of winter, we went in search of tips to stay warm at home, without spending a fortune in heating. What if we were inspired by Nordic countries, where it is even colder than with us?
There are of course many small gestures that you can adopt daily to improve the thermal comfort of your home while saving on heating. For example, remember to close your shutters as soon as night falls, invest in thick curtains, unblock the space in front of the radiators … But did you know that a simple sheet of bubble wrap can make a big difference?
This accessory often used to protect fragile objects can also become a precious ally against heat losses. Just apply a method, well known in the Nordic countries, and a little material. The windows, in particular those which are not double glazing, are areas of significant thermal loss. A large part of the interior heat escapes by these surfaces, which pushes your heating system to work more to maintain a pleasant temperature.
The bubble paper acts as a thermal barrier thanks to its small air pockets. These bubbles imprison the air and create an insulating layer, thus reducing heat losses. It is a principle similar to that of double glazing windows, but at a lower cost. In addition, this tip is quick, easy to implement and can be removed without damaging your windows.
For this technique you will only need bubble paper (which you can recover for example in delivery boxes), a pair of chisel, a clean cloth and a vaporizing bottle with water. Note, the larger the bubbles, the more effective it will be. It will only take you a few minutes per window.
To apply your bubble paper, start by thoroughly clean the glass surface with a damp cloth to remove dust and residues. A clean surface ensures better grip. Use the sprayer to spray a thin layer of water on the glass. This humidity will serve as natural “glue” to maintain the bubble paper in place. Cut the bubble paper to the size of the window, on the bubble side against the window. Apply it to the damp surface by pressing slightly to adhere the material.
If air bubbles are formed or if the bubble paper takes off, remove it gently, moisten more and reappear it. Once installed, the bubble wrap remains in place thanks to the voltage of the water, without requiring additional adhesive.