Good points there—I've had similar experiences with my old Victorian. Sealing drafts definitely helps, but there's only so much you can do when your walls are basically Swiss cheese, haha. A smart thermostat made a noticeable difference for me too, especially with managing uneven heating between floors.
Curious though, has anyone tried pairing these tech upgrades with insulating curtains or blinds? Wondering if that combo might boost efficiency even more...
I've been using insulating curtains upstairs for a couple winters now, and honestly, they're pretty effective—especially at night. But I'm wondering if cellular shades might offer a bit more insulation...anyone compared the two directly?
I've installed both insulating curtains and cellular shades in a bunch of homes, and honestly, cellular shades do have a slight edge in insulation—especially if you go for the double-cell ones. Curtains are great at night, but during the day, they tend to let drafts sneak around the edges unless they're sealed tight against the wall. Cellular shades fit snugger into the window frame, so they cut down on those sneaky drafts a bit better.
But here's something else to think about: how's your window sealing overall? I've seen folks invest in fancy shades or curtains without realizing their windows themselves are leaking air like crazy. Might be worth checking that first before dropping cash on new window treatments...
Also curious—are you noticing more heat loss upstairs compared to downstairs? Sometimes attic insulation (or lack thereof) can make upstairs rooms feel colder, no matter what you put on the windows.
"Might be worth checking that first before dropping cash on new window treatments..."
Good point about window sealing. I've seen a lot of people overlook that step and then wonder why their rooms still feel drafty. One quick way to check is running your hand around the frame on a windy day—you'll feel the cold air pretty fast. Also, have you considered weatherstripping or caulking around the frames? It's cheap, easy to DIY, and can make a noticeable difference before diving into pricier solutions like shades or curtains.
"One quick way to check is running your hand around the frame on a windy day—you'll feel the cold air pretty fast."
Yeah, the old "hand test" is surprisingly effective. Another trick I picked up is holding a lit candle or incense stick near the window edges; if the flame flickers or smoke drifts, you've got yourself a draft. Weatherstripping definitely helps—I sealed mine last year and noticed a big improvement. But honestly, sometimes curtains or shades can add that extra layer of coziness you just can't DIY... Have you thought about combining both approaches?
