Robert M* Invention Helps to Buffer Arctic Cold

with Simple Air Bag Insulation 

How to Install Air Bags Over Inside GlassWindows

to Stop Heat Loss

Hi, Folks,

I’m hunkering down here in “Little America” with Admiral Byrd…
This cold is definitely not “for the birds” except for penguins …

How to Install Air Bags over Inside Glass Windows

to Stop Heat Loss

A few years ago, I devised my own system to install an “air bubble wrap” on each window and covered 8 of the 14 windows in my apartment with “air bags” to block heat loss directly through the glass window panes. 

I use a simple, clear plastic sleeve  trash bag that happens to be just a bit longer but exactly as wide as the windows to seal the gap between the upper and lower window.

With the lower window raised about 4-5 inches to create an opening between top and bottom windows,

I stretch each bag across the top like a sheet, or curtain, aligning the right and left sides parallel to the window sides evenly.

Then, I insert the sealed closed end of the “air bag,” sliding it down into the gap between the 2 windows, keeping the horizontal edge evenly across until the sealed end hangs about 2 inches below the level of upper window.

Holding the bag in alignment, close the window just enough catch the bag between the 2 windows (again draping the bag evenly across the width of the window, so that the hanging end is even and horizontal.

Now at this point it is helpful to have someone to assist in tucking the bottom (open) end of the bag evenly to the outside straight across the bottom. When I do this alone, I hold the top with one hand and use a ruler or straightedge to tuck  “OUT” the open end, effectively wrapping the lower window in 2 layers of clear plastic.

Now comes the FUN PART!

Very carefully, close the window entirely making sure that the top & bottom window “bite” the plastic sleeve, and pinch the bag evenly across at top and bottom, sealing the “air-bag-to-be” and holding it in place!

As I said, HERE comes the Fun part  <pure science and common sense … 

Depending on the wind and outside air pressure, the air blowing or just simple atmospheric air pressure slowly forces air into the bag through the bottom (open) side of the plastic sleeve and slowly inflates the bag, which swells up like a square balloon and slowly covers nearly the entire pane of glass,

Once that cold air is warmed by the indoor heat, it forms a buffer of warm air that blocks the loss of heat through the panes of glass in winter, and also serve to keep air conditioned air inside during summer.

Since heat rises, more he is lost through the upper window pane than the lower, so it is an even simpler matter to tape the sealed end of the “air-bag-to-be” right across the top just like you might do with drape a curtain, again keeping both the horizontal and lateral alignment with the window, slide the open end through the 2-4 inch gap between windows while open, and just let it hang evenly, nothing more is needed …

Just close the window, sit back …  and Watch it grow!.

The same thing will happen,  the bag will slowly inflate and create a warm air buffer to stop the major part of the heat that was lost from leaving your house.

If you want to seal both top & bottom window panes, It is better to do the top window first, then seal the bottom one.

Please share this simple, little invention/discovery freely with your friends, especially to those suffering under these arctic conditions and especially those who live in older houses with wooden window frames and suffer a lot of drafty gaps between the windows or their frames.

Cheers,