As fall seems to be storming straight ahead into winter here on the east slopes of the Cascades, we are trying to button down the bus for cold weather. The
new stove is close to being installed, but we are still trying to find or make a stove pipe that will fit the strange shaped opening on the top.
Even once the stove is working, however, we have to keep the heat in the bus. Here's a look at how our insulating window panels keep us warm in the winter.
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Each panel is composed of a sheet of foil faced bubble wrap insulation and a custom made (by my Mom) slip cover.
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Sticky backed velcro attaches the panels to the window frame (we are looking to change to a magnet system because the velcro does tend to come off.)
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| The panels cover the windows and keep the cold air out and the hot air in. I can feel the difference these make in keeping the bus warm by sticking my hand on the opposite side of the panel on a cold night. Frosty on one side, toasty on the other. |
Been thinking about this as well. I've seen a few buses take a similar approach to this, and I've been playing around with a slightly different idea. I already have rolling bamboo shades over my windows for the summertime, and I think I could swap out the bamboo shade for a roll-up curtain made similar to what you have.
ReplyDeleteI know having the windows unobstructed during the daytime is a big advantage, capturing more heat from the sun than is lost through the windows. I think having a roll up curtain is a simple way to make that happen.
Roll up shades would be nice. We have to tuck these beside the futon when they are down. I think these particular panels would be too bulky to roll up well, however. We have very cold winters and fairly hot summers, so the insulation is necessary what ever the season. There is a huge difference in how hot the bus gets during the summer when we leave the window coverings off.
ReplyDeleteWhen installing the floor, would it be possible to use underfloor heating? I've been thinking of trying that since I want to use it in the house I eventually build.
ReplyDeleteI don't see why not.
ReplyDeleteThere are many benefits of window insulation panels
ReplyDeleteand everyone can afford that.