Rope caulk was a game changer for me too—though my dog wasn't thrilled about losing his favorite drafty spot by the patio door. I also tried thermal curtains in my rental units, and tenants mentioned noticing a difference, especially on windy days. Agree they're not magic, but every little bit helps.
On the grandma front: towels under doors really do work surprisingly well. But plastic wrap footwear? That's a hard pass from me...sounds like an accident waiting to happen. If you're feeling adventurous though, reflective insulation panels behind radiators are another easy DIY fix. Not glamorous, but effective enough to justify the hassle.
"reflective insulation panels behind radiators are another easy DIY fix. Not glamorous, but effective enough to justify the hassle."
I second this—those reflective panels made a noticeable difference in my old Victorian, especially in rooms with exterior walls. My cat wasn't impressed either, though; she used to curl up right by the radiator and definitely noticed the drop in heat escaping into her favorite nap zone. And yeah, plastic wrap footwear sounds like a recipe for disaster... I'll stick with wool socks and slippers, thanks!
Gotta say, reflective panels have always seemed a bit overrated to me. Sure, they might squeeze out a bit more heat, but in my experience, sealing drafts around windows and doors gives way more bang for your buck. I spent one weekend with a tube of caulk and weatherstripping, and the difference was night and day. Plus, my dog still gets his prime radiator spot without any feline drama... priorities, folks.
Reflective panels aren't a magic bullet, true, but I've seen them make a noticeable difference—especially in older homes with less insulation. Draft-proofing is definitely step one, but combining both methods can really boost efficiency. Plus, your dog might appreciate the extra cozy warmth...just saying.
Did the reflective panels last winter—honestly, wasn't blown away. Draft-proofing made way more difference for me, especially around windows and doors. But yeah, my cat definitely approved of the warmer spots near the radiators... guess pets are the real winners here. If you're tight on cash, I'd say prioritize sealing drafts first, then maybe panels if you've got extra budget later.
