Cold weather exposed such significant issues for one first-time homeowner that they took to Reddit's r/HomeMaintenance forum to desperately seek help and advice.
The discussion focused on inexpensive ways to cut heat loss and keep winter energy costs from creeping ever higher.
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"We have about three of these ceiling windows (not sure what to call them). But we are noticing with the cold weather that there is a draft coming in," the original poster explained. "How would you protect/insulate/keep the cold out?"
People in the replies said the "ceiling windows" were skylights, and the advice went in two directions. One commenter recommended, "I'd get the thin film plastic that you tape over the window and shrink with a hairdryer," while others favored foam board as the best insulating option for someone willing to lose the light.
"If you want to keep the light, go with the plastic wrap option. If you want best insulation, go with the foam board option," one user said. "Skylights look great, but heat rises, and they always take away efficiency and eventually start to leak."
When a skylight or other feature is drafty, the result can be longer furnace cycles, warmth escaping, and higher costs to keep indoor temperatures.
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Among the practical fixes raised in the thread, shrink-film plastic was the choice for those who wanted to preserve the natural light. The thin sheet can be taped over an opening and sealed with a hairdryer to reduce the draft without shutting out too much light.
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