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Flame » in reply to Are your curtains insulated?

Venting the dryer inside can cause problems
Larry J — (archived)

I used to do that too until I read about condensation problems. The moisture in the dryer exhaust can condense, causing damp walls with possible mold and wood rot issues. While I loved the heat and moisture (Colorado is extremely dry), it just didn't seem worth the risk to the long term habitability of the house.

Insulated drapes are a very good idea. A double pane window (or a single pane with a storm window) only has an insulation value of about R-5. That's a lot of heat loss. A good insulating curtain can bring it up to perhaps an R-8 or better, a substancial savings.

Spot heating can also be a good strategy. That first frigid winter in Nebraska, I used a small electric heater to warm the bathroom before taking a shower. It was better than warming the whole house. In Carl's case, he could use an electric heater to keep the older folk's room warmer than the rest of the house, at least at night. An automatic setback thermostat could help by letting the rest of the house be cooler at night, then raising the temperature in the morning. It's unfortunate that the seniors have to stay on the first floor where it's colder but understandable if they have difficulty with stairs.

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