subject: _:node7f1f94d37710b5c8915da489dc7a40a9
obj: "\n                    \n                    Have you ever wondered why rooms with thick curtains tend to stay warmer in the winter? If you\u2019re interested in reducing your family\u2019s carbon footprint or simply want to help your folks save a little money, then knowing how to insulate your windows is really important! Which type of window covering will keep a room the warmest?Download Project\n\nProblem:\n\nWhich model window solution will keep a room the warmest?\n\nMaterials\n\n\n\tFour small square cardboard boxes of the same size\n\tFour 1-liter bottles of water\n\tFour inexpensive thermometers\n\tPlastic wrap\n\tThin curtain material\n\tHeavy, insulated curtain material\n\tRuler\n\tPencil\n\tScissors\n\tTape\n\tSmall funnel\n\tDouble-sided sticky tape\n\tDuct tape or packing tape\n\tCooking pot\n\tStove\n\tWater\n\tNotebook and pen\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tgoogletag.cmd.push(function () {\n\t\t\t\t\tgoogletag.display(\"ad-123880\");\n\t\t\t\t});\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tgoogletag.cmd.push(function () {\n\t\t\t\t\tgoogletag.display(\"ad-103379\");\n\t\t\t\t});\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\n\nProcedure\n\n\n\tCut a large \u201Cwindow\u201D into the same side of each of three of the cardboard boxes. Each window should be the same size, so you'll want to use the ruler to measure and mark with a pencil before cutting. Do not cut a window in the fourth box\u2014this box will model a room that has no windows.\n\tCover the inside of your windows with plastic wrap, taping it into place on the inside of the box.\n\tCut curtains from the two types of curtain material that will completely cover your plastic wrap window. Secure the thinner curtain material in place with double-sided sticky tape over the inward-facing surface of one of the box\u2019s windows. On the next box\u2019s window, secure the heavier insulated curtain material in the same way. For the third box, leave the plastic wrap window unadorned.\n\tPour the bottles of water from the plastic bottles into the pot and ask a parent to bring the pot to a boil. Allow the water to cool slightly so it won\u2019t scald if it splashes on you.\n\tWith your parents\u2019 help, use the funnel to pour the hot water back into each of the bottles so that about the same amount of water is in each bottle. Some water may have evaporated when you boiled it, so the bottles will not be completely full.\n\tInsert a thermometer into each bottle and record the temperature reading in your notebook.\n\tRemove the thermometers from the bottles.\n\tPlace each bottle into a box and seal each box closed with duct tape. Leave the boxes outside in the evening, preferably at a time when the sun is setting. Remember, we\u2019re trying to determine how much heat each box loses, so we don\u2019t want the boxes to cook in the sun.\n\tAfter three hours, open the boxes and take a temperature reading for each of the bottles. Remember to record the results each time you take a reading.\n\tWhat do you notice about how long the bottles stay warm? Which boxes are more efficient than others at keeping the heat inside the bottle?\n\n\nResults\n\nAny type of window allows heat to escape, so the box without any window at all should have retained the most heat. However, for the boxes with windows, a heavier fabric helps retain heat better than a thinner one. The box with no curtain should have lost the most heat.\n\nWhy?\n\nInsulated curtains are more energy efficient than curtains made of regular material. Why? One of the ways heat travels is through conduction, when heat moves from a warmer area to a cooler one. However, thicker materials are better insulators\u2014that is, they tend to prevent conduction from occurring as rapidly. Interestingly enough, the best insulator is nothing at all, because heat can\u2019t travel by thermal conduction through a vacuum! That\u2019s why manufacturers of insulated food and beverage containers often nest two flasks together and suck all of the air out of the space in between. Heat is only able to effectively leave via conduction through the top of the container, and only a little is lost through the sides due to minimal conduction and some thermal radiation.\n\nSo how much less energy might the average household use by adding thermal curtains to heated rooms? Is the cost of insulated curtains worth it if you weigh it against the money you might save? Thermal curtain manufacturers estimate that homeowners can save up to 25% on their home\u2019s energy bill, and the US Department of Energy recommends that homeowners use insulated curtains to save money. Can you find any other methods to help save some money on your family\u2019s energy bill? Use your creativity, and apply what you\u2019ve learned about heat and heat conduction!\n                    \n\n                    \n                                    "