How to insulate a porch?
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I have a lovely porch that I have enclosed and put in good windows. The problem is, it gets so cold during the winter months and needs insulation. Since I am on social security, it will be difficult to afford good insulation in lower walls and ceiling to keep this area warm enough to use in the winter. I live in the southwest and our lowest night time temps are usually no lower than 20 degrees with up in high 40's in the day. It is light and wonderful in the summer months and I would like to use during colder times.
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Have you tried a portable electric space heater?
Really insulation is the only way to go. I like the portable heater but they are so expensive to run that between the cost of the heater and the huge electric bill every month, insulation would be cheaper (and insulation is a one time cost). Call your local habitat for humanity or senior services or ask at your church for help and ask around for any kind of discounts offered.
Some states offer programs that help people on low incomes make needed repairs to their homes. Call your local office that handles welfare and they should be able to steer you in the right direction. Generally you have to be WELL beneath the poverty level. If you make too much to quality you could always do a little bit each month. If you just put aside $20 a month towards insulation in a year you would have saved well over $200.
Check also with local colleges. My city has a Big 12 school and seems like they are always sending out groups to provide free services, including home maintenance, to the community. I once lived in a single-wide mobile home and it had NO insulation. I bought the styrofoam panels (about 4'x6' estimated), trimmed them to fit into the windows, and enclosed the edges with duct tape. It really helped. Could you do something like this on the lower walls and ceiling, then cover the panels with the printed tablecloth vinyl-by-the-yard available at Walmart in the fabric department and in fabric shops. You could probably put it up using a glue gun and/or staples and I'm thinking it would look like wallpaper. Or you could use fabric or sheets in this way. If I lived closer, I would come and help you. Also consider a rug or piece of carpet for the floor to make the porch warmer.