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When it’s time to replace your curtains, most of us only worry about cost and style. But did you know this choice can make a massive difference to how warm and comfortable your home will be over winter? We tested which types were most effective at reducing heat loss in your home.
The … View moreWhen it’s time to replace your curtains, most of us only worry about cost and style. But did you know this choice can make a massive difference to how warm and comfortable your home will be over winter? We tested which types were most effective at reducing heat loss in your home.
The problem: If you have an insulated house, you can lose upwards of 45% of your heat through your windows. This drops to 30% in an uninsulated home, since it’s easier for heat to escape through the walls, ceiling and floors. This shows the importance of choosing wisely when it comes to your curtains or blinds; the right window coverings can save two-thirds of the heat lost through your windows.
Our test: We measured heat loss through an aluminium-framed single-glazed window fitted with different window coverings. The window was fitted to a mini-room inside our Thermal Comfort lab. The lab temperature was reduced to 4°C to simulate a chilly winter night, while an electric heater inside the mini-room beavered away to maintain a temperature of 20°C.
The different window coverings were tested for at least three hours and we measured the total power usage from the heater, along with the difference between indoor and outdoor temperature. These readings were then used to calculate how effective each window covering was at stopping heat escaping.
Reverse chimneys: Cool air is denser (heavier) than warm air. When it’s cold outside, the inside air close to a window pane is cooled and tends to sink. As this cooled air sinks, it gets replaced by warmer air from other of the room. This creates a circulating air current that cools the room parts.
Curtains that aren’t sealed at the top or bottom to stop these air currents can make the situation worse by forming a channel between the window and curtain. This allows cooled air to flow continuously and chill the room faster.
We tested two types of curtains, thermal and heavy lined, cut to both sill and floor length. The thermal curtains were in a single drop and had a plastic coating bonded to the fabric. You might have expected the thermal curtains would perform better, but the extra layer of fabric in the pricier heavy lined curtains made them better insulators. If you’re getting curtains fitted, opt for floor-length as they keep in heat better than ones that sit at the sill.
Which blinds are best?
We tested five types of blinds: honeycomb, roman, roller, and aluminium and wooden venetians.
Our blinds were installed within the window frame (with the exception of the romans), so there was no gap (like the one between the back of the curtain and the window frame) to allow a reverse chimney to form. Honeycomb blinds easily topped our testing for all window coverings. Air is a good insulator, as long as it’s not moving, and the honeycomb structure creates a large, still air gap between the cold window pane and the warm inside air.
Also, the honeycomb blinds fitted closer to the sides of the window frame than our other tested blinds, which also helped reduce heat loss.
While their public baths may have gone out of fashion, roman blinds are still going strong. Roman blinds were the best window covering after the honeycomb blinds and secondary double-glazing options. A roman blind’s good performance comes down to the close fit it has over the window frame. This good seal, along with a close fit to the wall at the top, helps retain heat.
Keep reading: www.curtainclean.co.nz...
Dear neighbours,
Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are now on the hunt for spinach recipes, so send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz before July 26, 2021.
Every published recipe wins a copy of our special edition Homegrown Recipes.
Give an old wooden crate a charming second life with Resene.
Find out how to create your own.
In good condition, looking to sell as we have purchased another and have no room for it anymore.
Found on Sunday afternoon. This is the 2nd ring that I have found at The Laundry Room, Main St, opposite Railway land. Please show picture or description of ring to claim. If not claimed within a reasonable time I will also drop this into the Police station. Phone 021 148 2083.
Peter Williams reports a natural cream that supports his joints and helps to keep him active.
“When I get up in the morning, I want to know that my joints are healthy, flexible and ready for the day.”
“I recommend Koru FX cream by Koru Nutrition. It’s New Zealand made, natural, fast … View morePeter Williams reports a natural cream that supports his joints and helps to keep him active.
“When I get up in the morning, I want to know that my joints are healthy, flexible and ready for the day.”
“I recommend Koru FX cream by Koru Nutrition. It’s New Zealand made, natural, fast acting and long lasting. It has become NZ’s #1 fastest growing topical joint and muscle support cream and I can see why.”
“Ask for Koru Nutrition’s Koru FX cream next time you’re in the pharmacy and try it for yourself.”
The Warmer Kiwi Homes Subsidy wants Kiwis to be living in warm, dry and healthy homes and allows those eligible to get 80% off the cost of Insulation and a Heat Pump!
Visit our website to check your eligibility and book an assessment with one of our team.
Quality leather lounge suite for sale, 3 seater couch with 2 recliners at each end also 2 separate recliner chairs. Approx 6 years old, still in excellent condition. Paid $10,000 new. Open to offers over $1000.
PH/Text Erick and Michelle 027 2240 170 We are selling on behalf of a friend. Or … View moreQuality leather lounge suite for sale, 3 seater couch with 2 recliners at each end also 2 separate recliner chairs. Approx 6 years old, still in excellent condition. Paid $10,000 new. Open to offers over $1000.
PH/Text Erick and Michelle 027 2240 170 We are selling on behalf of a friend. Or you can leave a comment or message us 😊
Starting from Wednesday 21 July all books out the door at $1.00. Sale includes CDs and DVDs.
“First in first served”Sale concludes Saturday 24 July.
All most everyone in the world has heard of the game of chess, but what not everyone knows is that there is an entire day dedicated to the celebration of this wonderful pastime!
A game of strategy and wits, chess has long been considered to be the thinking game. From its early days in India to … View moreAll most everyone in the world has heard of the game of chess, but what not everyone knows is that there is an entire day dedicated to the celebration of this wonderful pastime!
A game of strategy and wits, chess has long been considered to be the thinking game. From its early days in India to everywhere in the world today, chess is a wonderful game to play anytime, anywhere and with almost anyone.
If your child is a real movie lover, then here are some Movie Magic activities to keep them busy over the school holidays.
Think outside the box (excuse the pun!), and create some real movie magic in your own home. Here are a few indoor ideas to get you started.
At home movie theatre … View moreIf your child is a real movie lover, then here are some Movie Magic activities to keep them busy over the school holidays.
Think outside the box (excuse the pun!), and create some real movie magic in your own home. Here are a few indoor ideas to get you started.
At home movie theatre experience: It’s always nice to go out to the movies, but you can recreate that movie theatre feel at home, and turn an ordinary DVD, or streaming movie, into a real experience. Not only will your children have lots of fun, but with so many things to organise it will entertain them for a whole day or more.
Firstly choose a movie, and have your kids make a movie poster to advertise that it is ‘Coming Soon’ to your ‘at home’ theatre. Stick the poster to your lounge window, or if you’re really brave – to your letterbox.
Make invitations to attend the official premiere, and send them to your children’s friends with details of date, time and occasion. If you want, ask everyone to dress in fancy clothes so that the premiere can be extra special.
Set your lounge or theatre room up with rows of chairs, cushions or beanbags, and roll out a red carpet for your guests. If you don’t have a red rug, make a pathway with garden stakes up to your door, and tie on lots of red balloons. Make sure the curtains are closed, so the room is dark like a real theatre.
As your children’s guests arrive, greet them with a bag of sweet ‘n salty popcorn or a chocolate dipped ice-cream, and usher them to their seat with a torch. The premiere will be the talk of tinsel town!
Make your own movie: Think you might have a budding peter Jackson in the house? Have your children make their own movie with a video or sports camera, or even on your mobile phone. They can do the post-production editing using free phone apps, or there’s simple, free software you can download onto a desktop computer.
They will have to come up with a storyline first, and then spend time putting it together. You can even take them right through the process of drawing a movie storyboard and writing a short script. Of course there will also be the grand opening premiere at the end.
In some cities there are ‘movie making’ holiday programmes available, specifically using the computer. Start by asking your child’s school if they know of any movie making workshops, or check out your local computer shops. If all else fails, advertise at your local polytechnic, university or high school for a capable student who can help out. Give your child a few hours with an expert, and you’ll be amazed by what they come up with.
Hollywood ‘Walk of Fame’ paver: Nothing says Hollywood like a ‘Walk of Fame’ paver, and there are two ways to make one depending on the age and stage of your child. You can either buy a concrete paving stone and simply paint on their details, along with painted hand prints, or make a concrete paver right from scratch.
To make a mould, cut the bottom off a plastic bucket so you’re left with a dish approximately 5 cm deep. Mix up some quick set concrete and pour it into the dish. Using a stick (or the end of a paintbrush), draw on the Hollywood star and write your child’s details, then have them press their hands into the centre of the star.
Decorate the paver by pressing in pieces of coloured glass, tiles, old coins, marbles or shells. After 24 hours, or once the concrete is completely set, remove the paver from the mould and it’s ready to grace your ‘Walk of Fame’.
Keep reading: www.curtainclean.co.nz...
Gulbransen piano (manufactured in Sydney) - great sound - and piano stool. All three of my children learned to play on this. There is a little superficial damage to keys i.e. some ivory missing but it works really well and it's otherwise in good shape. Free to anyone who can pick it up.
Check out our latest blog about the difference between these two common forms of insulation 👇
Wooden draws great condition with mirror attached. That can be angled wanting 60ono
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