A Story of Great Success with Winter Energy Saving & Condensation Countermeasures

Every winter, I am troubled by the piercing cold in the north-facing room and the condensation that leaves the windows soaking wet.

After several years of thinking, "This year for sure...", I feel like I have finally arrived at the right answer.

In conclusion, what I introduced was an "insulating vinyl curtain." This performed better than I expected.

My home's winter problem: The north-facing bedroom is just so cold!
My living room gets good sunlight and is warm once the heater is on, but the problem is the bedroom on the north side.

It's just cold: When it's time to sleep, the chill is severe, and I am forced to turn on additional heating.
Terrible condensation: Perhaps because of the heating, the windows are wet with water droplets the next morning, and cleaning them was a chore.

While I wanted to "do something about it," I couldn't bring myself to try the sheet types that you stick directly to the window because I thought, "It seems like a hassle to peel off once applied" and "I'm worried about how it will look."

1. I tried introducing a vinyl curtain

While looking into it, I found a vinyl curtain type that you just hang on the curtain rail.
• Merits: You can take it down during seasons when you don't use it, and the price is reasonable at around 1,000 yen.
• Installation: It was surprisingly easy because you just hook it onto the curtain rail.

2. Surprising results: Temperature rose by 3 degrees, and the condensation disappeared!
Once I actually installed it, there was a clear change.

A 3-degree effect on the thermometer
Thanks to the drafts being properly guarded, the room temperature rose by 3 degrees on the thermometer. I realized just how much cold air had been coming in from the window until now.

Condensation disappeared
This was the most surprising thing. By sealing the window area with the vinyl curtain, warm air is less likely to touch the window glass, and the next morning's condensation disappeared. It is moving to no longer have that hassle of wiping it down.

The cost-performance is just too good
It is a product that costs about 1,000 yen, but thanks to the increased heating efficiency, my electricity bill went down by about 1,000 yen per month. It is calculated that it pays for itself in one month.

Points I was slightly concerned about
Of course, it is not all perfect.

• Ease of coming off: Perhaps because it is inexpensive, the hooks sometimes come off the rail when moving the curtain.
• Operability: In places where you open and close it frequently, it might feel a bit troublesome.
• Condensation on rainy days: On rainy days, perhaps due to the humidity outside, condensation does form.

However, considering this price and the effect, I feel it is well within a range I can compromise on.

3. Summary: Looking forward to the summer energy-saving effect too!
This measure was a great success in terms of cost-performance.
In the coming season, what I am curious about is, "Will it also work as a summer air conditioning measure?"
Usually, I refrain from using air conditioning in rooms other than the living room, but if I use it only when sleeping, the electricity bill inevitably jumps up. If this curtain also blocks the summer heat, it seems like it will be an item I cannot let go of all year round.
For those who are troubled by winter cold or condensation, I recommend this "comfort" with an initial investment of 1,000 yen.