Do Thermal Curtains Really Work?
Curtains, particularly thermal lined ones, can reduce heat loss by as much as 60%, depending on the type of windows your home is fitted with. The key to ensuring you get the most out of your curtains is in understanding exactly how heat is lost, and how the use of thermal lined curtains can prevent this.
Understanding the physics: You know the old saying that hot air rises? Well, during cold weather that is exactly what happens, and something called the reverse chimney effect comes into play.
It is widely accepted that cold air is denser, and therefore heavier, than warm air. When it’s cold outside the air close to the window is cooled and sinks down (due to its density increasing with the temperature change). When the cooled air sinks it’s replaced by warmer air from other parts of the room.
As you can imagine, this then creates a circulating current, taking all of your warm air and replacing it with cool air. And just like that, you have lost most of your heat, not just near the window, but in the entire room.
If your curtains are not fitted correctly they form a channel between the window and the curtain, creating a space for the cooled air to sit and increasing the effect of the reverse chimney. The most important aspect to note is that it is the power of each factor combined, which decreases heat loss. No single factor works in isolation.
The first thing to ensure is that your curtains fit your windows correctly. This means that they are within a millimetre of perfect, with absolutely no gaps at the top or bottom. They need to fit against the wall snugly, creating a seal between the curtain and window.
Keep reading: www.curtainclean.co.nz...
Riddle Me This: Can You Out-Smart Yesterday’s Champ?
How can the number four be half of five?
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Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84.3% Yes
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14.2% No
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
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