First, I live in a 1959 trailer (hey rent is good, it's on private property - can't really knock it)

The problem is that it has those louvered windows. The panes are various lengths (window size), and are 4 inches wide.

A few years ago we got clear vinyl (sort of the same stuff shower curtains are made of) and permanently installed this in the screens in some of the windows. That leaves us with 5 rather large windows (4@ 32w x 44 h, 1@ 32w x 32 h) which are without protection.

Even the windows we have installed this plastic in are inefficient (a nice way to say worthless) when it comes to keeping the heat/cool in and the hot/cold out.

In winter we switch out the light bed sheet-like thin curtains with flannel curtains - thus dimming the interior. This has a little impact, but not enough. Air movement is still a problem. If there is a wind in the winter the curtains will move slightly - you just know that a lot of cold air is coming in.

2 years ago I was given $3000.00 for materials to gut the trailer from the kitchen to the bedroom due to leaks in the plumbing which caused floor and wall rot. I took the time to install 1/2 inch styrofoam in the walls of 1/2 the trailer (From the kitchen to the rear). The bed room (which is in the rear) stays much more constant in temperature now.

In order to fix the roof on a permanent basis, we had 1- 1/2" spray foam sprayed - this not only is water proof, but it has added to the R Value in the ceiling/roof (A flat aluminum roof which was dented when a tree limb fell 12 years ago)

Needless to say after $3000.00 the Landlord refuses to dump any more money into the trailer - thus getting new windows are out of the question (I hope one day to get a client who wants to replace their windows and that those will fit the holes here)

Until such time as I can get windows, is there anything I can do to insulate these windows with something that will still allow light through yet at the same time can easily be removed?

The screens of the windows are on the inside, then are held in place with screws. Needless to say I am reluctant to take them off and put them back on repeatedly in fear that the screw holes (in wood) will strip out.

We heat with propane which wasn't too big of a bill until two years ago, then the price of propane went through the roof. With winter coming and the small fact that finances have bottomed out around here, I am having to find more ways to save.

any suggestions or ideas would be helpful. ultimately I am looking for something that is sealable against the wall which can easily be opened during the day for much needed light.

David

i dont know if this will help you or not, but we use 'window sealing' kits on our place during the winter.
its double sided tape with thin plastic that you cut to fit your window, and stick to the tape.
you use a hairdryer on the plastic after to remove all the wrinkles.
it seems to work on the one window, which has a hole in it, in -40c weather pretty well.
if you put your hand on it, you can feel the cold, but walking by you dont notice anything.