Window Inserts Questions - insulation and energy efficiency

[Fatmouse]

Hello Mustachians!

I am interested in your experience with Indow Windows or similar products.
www.indowwindows.com

This is an interior window insert that claims to improve energy efficiency, eliminate condensation on windows, and decrease noise pollution. 

Our existing windows are terrible, and they face a very busy DC street with lots of honking and sirens. We can replace the windows in accordance with the condo by-laws, but we do not want to spend a lot of money on this right now.  We are limited in what we can do that affects external appearance or exterior of the building in any way.  We are responsible for maintenance and cleaning, and we are on the second floor, so easy access for cleaning is also a consideration.

Questions:
- Have you had problems like this? How did you solve it, and at what cost?
- If you have used Indow Windows or other window inserts, how much did it cost, with a breakdown?  I'm looking for costs of inserts, shipping, installation, what service if any was included in costs, etc.  If installation required any DIY, info on tools needed and skill level/ difficulty would be great.
- If you have added Indow Windows or other window inserts how much did it reduce your heating bills?  (I am less concerned with cooling, we almost never used AC this summer, but we did open some windows at night for cool air.)
- How well have your window inserts reduced noise levels?
- In terms of summer and opening windows, Do you use the inserts seasonally and store them for the summer?  Or do you pop them on and off as needed, routinely, to open windows?

Any info is appreciated!  :)

[Roadhog]

I'm very interested in this too since we are planning on having these installed soon.   If no one else comments I can share our experience once they are in.

[kristinaIndow]

Hello! Ok full disclosure - I work for Indow with both the sales and marketing departments as an administrator and stumbled across this posting. While I am biased, I have also experienced Indow first hand and wanted to share some resources and my two cents.

We have been around since 2010 when our founder and CEO Sam Pardue wanted to come up with an alternative to replacement that was a higher in quality and performance. Since then we have really grown, but back when I started our office in a warehouse still had no insulation on the ceilings and HUGE windows. I remember I would constantly sit with a hat, jacket, and a scarf to work in the winter, plus a big heat dish next to my desk. We also have both a freight train line, a light rail, and a busy street surrounding our office so highly exposed to noise. Sometimes I would even have to pause on the phone when the trains go by because it would get too loud.

We got both Indow inserts for the office and the ceiling insulation and I could not believe what a difference it made. After the Indow inserts were installed (but before the insulation) the noise dropped substantially. I no longer had to halt my conversations - you can still hear the noise if you listen but it does not inhibit you from doing what you need to. This winter has really shown the effect - I am sitting in my office now with no coat, no heat dish, and I am comfortable. I know it seems extreme but it's a small change that can really drastically adjust the quality of your daily routine. If you don't want to take my word for it, check out our facebook page as there are plenty of customers nationally who have told their stories: facebook.com/indowwindows

There were also two studies conducted by the Green Building Lab at Portland State University and the Department of Energy. They both found average energy savings of 20% on your bills. Check out this sheet for a bit more information:
http://www.indowwindows.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/IW-Comfort-Has-ROI-04-14-MH.pdf

Order process wise in order to get a perfect fit with an airtight seal (especially in frames that are older and out of square) a laser measurement is required. Indow developed out a software to easily get this completed so the whole thing is very streamlined. The final step in the process is checking the fit at install, so it's important the dealer completes this for you but many offer DIY installs if you really want to. Otherwise the dealer will take all the hard work out of your hands. After the initial install taking them out is simple as pulling a chain and install is pushing them back into place. It's a mix if clients have them seasonally or leave them in year round, depending on climate and if their windows operate.

Cost on Indow is by the square foot and depends on grade type. The standard grade is at $20/sf and the acoustic grade is at $30/sf. Shipping is a bit tricky as it varies by location, but local dealers are able to work up an estimate just by taking the width and height dimensions of your window - they do not need to come out and get the laser measurement to determine cost.

Hope that helps!

[HalfDollar]

A very cheap alternative is bubble wrap. It works but is not the most stylish.

[MDM]

Hello! Ok full disclosure - I work for Indow with both the sales and marketing departments as an administrator and stumbled across this posting. While I am biased, I have also experienced Indow first hand and wanted to share some resources and my two cents.

kristina, welcome to the forums and thanks for being completely open about your situation.

[Fatmouse]

Kristina,  thanks for the info!  I take it as a good sign when someone who works for the company is clearly so passionate about the product.

Roadhog - I'd love an update once you're farther down the road with your experience.

Half dollar- ha ha re: the bubble wrap!!  :). You're right, it does work.  In college I sealed my windows in the winter with a cling-wrap type material.  But this is a matter where I am willing to embrace lifestyle inflation, lol

This morning when I woke up, there was literally FROST on the inside of my bedroom windows.  Sigh. DC is usually much more mild, but still, I will be very glad if Indow is a solution for me!

[KD]

Thank you for this information.  I had never heard of this company before.  Just yesterday the Hubs & I were wondering if there was a way to insulate a huge window over the garden tub in our master bathroom.  Our house is only six years old, but we bought it when it was four years old and don't have any info on the quality of the windows that are installed here.  That bathroom is freezing and that particular window is not marked w/a manufacturer that I can determine.  We'd rather add an insulating factor to the window than replace the whole thing if that's possible.