5 cheap (or free) ways to keep the house warm this winter
Don’t shiver in silence! Use these 5 simple (and cheap) techniques to warm up your home and stay toasty this winter.
Quick Summary
• Open curtains in the day, close them at night
• Make and use draft excluders
• Install window insulation films or use bubblewrap
• Keep furniture away from heat sources and use rugs/blankets to insulate the floor
• Use as few rooms as possible and close off the rooms you aren’t using
1) STRATEGIC CURTAIN USE
After double-glazing, curtains are the next line of defence against the chill of winter. Thermal lined ones are best, and floor-to-ceiling ones provide a good ‘seal’ of warmth.
However, it’s also important to know when to open and close these curtains to get maximum effectiveness out of them. Generally, when the sun is up, keep the curtains open to let the sunlight and warmth in. As soon as the sun goes down, close them to trap that heat in overnight.
The advanced version is:
• In the morning, have north-facing and east-facing curtains open. Keep south-facing curtains closed throughout the day.
• In the afternoon, close the east-facing curtains and open the west-facing curtains. Keep the north-facing curtains open throughout the day.
• Once the sun sets, close all the curtains (including the north-facing ones).
• Repeat in the morning.
Curtains aren’t just for windows either! Pinning a rug or blanket over an external door can help give it an insulation boost too. Pro-tip: cover up pet flaps in the same way.
2) MAKE (AND USE) DRAFT EXCLUDERS
Draft excluders are long pieces of thick material, usually in the shape of a sausage, that are placed at the bottom of doors to keep the cold out and the warm in. You might be surprised at how much of a difference blocking even a small gap can make!
Keep reading: www.curtainclean.co.nz...
Poll: Is dumping an issue in your neighbourhood?
There's nothing worse than strolling around the streets in your neighbourhood and seeing dumped rubbish.
Have you noticed this in your area? What could we do to combat this around the country?
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42.2% Yes, I've seen some illegal dumping
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57.1% No, our neighbourhood is pretty good
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0.8% Other - I'll share below
Police ask for witnesses to come forward
A man has been charged in relation to an assault on Courtenay Place in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Emergency services were called to Courtenay Place outside the old Reading Cinema about 3.20am after a 21-year-old man was injured.
He was transported to hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
A 29-year-old man has now been arrested in relation to this incident. He has been charged with wounding with reckless disregard, and is due to appear in Wellington District Court today.
Police would like to hear from anyone who witnessed this assault, or who has any knowledge of it or of those involved.
In particular, we want to speak to two women who were sitting close by when the incident occurred, and who would have witnessed what happened.
If you have any information that could help our enquiries, please update us online now or call 105 and use the reference number 241006/5414.
Police have also opened an online portal where anyone who has any relevant video footage or images can upload their material.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers(link is external) on 0800 555 111.
Wairarapa Bookshop Hop this Saturday!
Wairarapa Bookshop Hop is back for its third year, with 12 participating Wairarapa Bookshops, meaning you'll be able enjoy a range of bookish events all day long. Plus be in for a chance to win bookshop vouchers and special prizes, along with fun events at stores along the way, all in celebration of NZ Bookshop Day.
This Saturday 12 October. More info at the website below.
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