Why Weatherization Matters

Weatherization is one of the most effective ways to reduce energy costs and improve comfort and warmth of your home. For households struggling with high heating costs, weatherization can make a big difference by reducing energy burdens through cost effective improvements such as insulation.

Windows are a major source of heat loss in homes, accounting for up to 30% of a home’s heat loss. Radiant heat loss is the primary cause of heat loss through windows. Heat from inside is absorbed by the glass and then absorbed by the outside cold air, pulling heat out of your home. Inserts provide extra insulation, blocking this heat transfer. Our custom built window inserts significantly reduce this heat loss by creating two additional sealed air spaces: one between the insert and window and another between the two plastic layers. This effectively doubles window insulation, making homes more energy efficient and comfortable throughout the winter.

Energy Burden & Aging Homes in Our Region

Energy burden is the percentage of a household’s income that is spent on energy. An energy burden of 6% or more is considered high, while 10% or more is considered severe. Low-income households are disproportionately affected, often struggling with higher energy costs relative to their income.

New England has the largest gap between low-income and median energy burdens, along with some of the highest energy costs in the nation:

• The total energy burden for Maine’s low-income households is 30%, three times the burden for all households.
• The average energy burden for Vermont residents is 11% which means households are spending more than $7,000 on energy costs each year.
• In New Hampshire, the average total energy burden is 9.4%.

Many homes in New England were built long before modern energy efficiency standards, making weatherization crucial. Lacking proper insulation, these older homes are significantly less energy efficient. Our inserts provide an easy and affordable retrofit solution to improve weatherization.

• Maine: 35% of homes were built before 1960
• New Hampshire: Over 37% of homes were built before 1960
• Vermont: 41% of homes were built before 1960

Making Weatherization Accessible for All:

How WindowDressers Can Help

Weatherization is essential for reducing energy costs, improving comfort, and combating climate change. However, for many households, the high cost of traditional weatherization or efficiency measures can make these upgrades feel out of reach.

That’s why WindowDressers is committed to providing an affordable and effective solution. Our custom-built window inserts are designed to reduce drafts and heat loss, helping to keep homes warmer in winter. These inserts are a simple yet impactful way to improve energy efficiency without the need for costly renovations.

By offering our inserts at a low cost and providing them free of charge to those who need them most, we help ease the strain of high heating costs for low-income households. For individuals and families already struggling to pay heating bills, every bit of saved energy counts. WindowDressers makes weatherization more accessible by offering around 10 inserts per year at no-cost or whatever you can afford for those experiencing financial hardship.

Sign Up Now to Receive Inserts in the Fall 2025 Season!