Brookfield, Tauranga

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1222 days ago

Curtains & Blinds: Which types are best?

Owner from Curtain Clean BOP Ltd

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 more
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 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...

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1222 days ago

Secure your bull team now with no upfront cost!

PGG Wrightson

Apply for a Defer-A-Bull purchase agreement today – a simple, cost effective solution when sourcing your dairy service bulls.

Secure your bull team early with no repayments until bulls are sold.
Find out more

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1223 days ago

Do you have a great spinach recipe?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

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.

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1223 days ago

Rose Hughes’ latest project gives an old wooden crate a charming second life.

The Team from Resene ColorShop Tauranga

Give an old wooden crate a charming second life with Resene.

Find out how to create your own.

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1224 days ago

Kiwi Can - Payroll Giving

The Team from Graeme Dingle Foundation Western Bay of Plenty

Make every payday, a giving pay day.

Do you know about our Payroll Giving option? For just $20 per month, you can support one student to attend Kiwi Can for a term.

Payroll Giving allows you to make donations directly from your pay and receive immediate tax credits via PAYE. Head to our website … View more
Make every payday, a giving pay day.

Do you know about our Payroll Giving option? For just $20 per month, you can support one student to attend Kiwi Can for a term.

Payroll Giving allows you to make donations directly from your pay and receive immediate tax credits via PAYE. Head to our website to find out more and sign up today.

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1228 days ago

Birds

Else from Mount Maunganui

We have a large awning over our lounge window.
We have brown terra cotta tiles on the floor.
We have put up wooded planks in gap with sticky bird repel.Tied the bottom all up filled the top gap with mash.I put up aluminium dishes!
Still every morning there is lots of bird droppings on the ground!
View more
We have a large awning over our lounge window.
We have brown terra cotta tiles on the floor.
We have put up wooded planks in gap with sticky bird repel.Tied the bottom all up filled the top gap with mash.I put up aluminium dishes!
Still every morning there is lots of bird droppings on the ground!
We have run our of ideas, any suggestions??

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1224 days ago

Peter William’s Natural Joint Secret

Koru Nutrition

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 more
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 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.”
Find out more

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1225 days ago

Are you eligible for 80% off Insulation and a Heat Pump?

The team from EnergySmart - Tauranga

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.

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1225 days ago

Are you eligible for 80% off Insulation and a Heat Pump?

The team from EnergySmart - Tauranga

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.

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1225 days ago

We have what you are looking for!

The Team from Red Cross Shop Greerton

Come on in to Greerton Red Cross Shop at 199 Chadwick Road in Greerton, we are open 9-5 pm Monday to Friday and Saturdays 9-3pm.
We have furniture, books, linen, clothes for everyone and all you need to set up your home.
Maybe you’d like to volunteer? Come on in and have a chat we’d love to … View more
Come on in to Greerton Red Cross Shop at 199 Chadwick Road in Greerton, we are open 9-5 pm Monday to Friday and Saturdays 9-3pm.
We have furniture, books, linen, clothes for everyone and all you need to set up your home.
Maybe you’d like to volunteer? Come on in and have a chat we’d love to have you join the team!

1230 days ago

Packing boxes

Kym from Bethlehem

Hi, does anyone know where I can get some strong packing boxes? TIA

1225 days ago

Winter Facial Special

Christine from Body Treatments

Treat yourself with a Luxury Relaxing Facial + lash + brow tint + shape for $80 (normally $100) using 100% organic products Azurlis which are made in New Zealand. Gift Vouchers are available . Appointments also available for Massage, Waxing, IPL and Homeopathy. Valid till end of July. Ph 5706270
View more
Treat yourself with a Luxury Relaxing Facial + lash + brow tint + shape for $80 (normally $100) using 100% organic products Azurlis which are made in New Zealand. Gift Vouchers are available . Appointments also available for Massage, Waxing, IPL and Homeopathy. Valid till end of July. Ph 5706270
bodytreatments@xtra.co.nz
www.body...

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1234 days ago

Annual Book Sale

Margaret from Greerton - Parkvale

Books and jigsaws wanted for Tauranga Harbour City Lions November Book Sale. Drop off points are:
Harvey Norman, Cameron Rd
Wet & Forget, Chapel St Centre
Countdown Bethlehem Town Centre
Gilmores Tauranga Crossing
Bunnings DIY Section, Jean Batten Drive, Mt Maunganui
Please no … View more
Books and jigsaws wanted for Tauranga Harbour City Lions November Book Sale. Drop off points are:
Harvey Norman, Cameron Rd
Wet & Forget, Chapel St Centre
Countdown Bethlehem Town Centre
Gilmores Tauranga Crossing
Bunnings DIY Section, Jean Batten Drive, Mt Maunganui
Please no magazines, encyclopedias - phone 5767105 or 021 0645360.

1226 days ago

Red Cross Tauranga Branch AGM

The Team from Red Cross - Tauranga Service Centre - Greerton

The Tauranga Branch of New Zealand Red Cross are holding their AGM on Monday the 2nd of August, 2021 at the Western Bay Service Centre, 245 Chadwick Road, Greerton.

The AGM will start at 12.30pm and there will be light refreshments provided.

Please RVSP to the Secretary by the 28th of July via … View more
The Tauranga Branch of New Zealand Red Cross are holding their AGM on Monday the 2nd of August, 2021 at the Western Bay Service Centre, 245 Chadwick Road, Greerton.

The AGM will start at 12.30pm and there will be light refreshments provided.

Please RVSP to the Secretary by the 28th of July via email secretary.tauranga@redcross.org.nz

The branch is looking for more committee members so if you are keen to make a difference in your community and would like to assist the branch in implementing new ideas and projects in the region please ask for a nomination form when you RSVP.

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1226 days ago

International Chess Day

NumberWorks'nWords Tauranga

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 more
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 everywhere in the world today, chess is a wonderful game to play anytime, anywhere and with almost anyone.

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