Window treatments to keep your home warm this winter
Aren't you tired of sky-high winter power bills? Start with your windows to stop the cold from getting in.
BRANZ, an independent research organisation, says:
• 42% to 45% of heat in houses insulated to Pre-2007 requirements is lost through windows.
• If your home has been built or renovated under the 2007 Building Code, which requires double glazing, you still lose up to 31% of heat through windows.
• Properly fitted curtains and blinds can cut heat loss through single glazed windows by 60% and double glazed windows by 40-50%.
Choosing the right window treatments will help insulate windows and prevent heat loss. Here are three options to answer your "how can I warm up my home?" this winter.
Honeycomb Blinds
Honeycomb blinds are one of the most energy-efficient window treatments. They are also known as honeycomb or cellular shades. These window coverings feature a honeycomb structure to make an air pocket between the window glass and the room that acts as an insulator, blocking heat and keeping the cold out.
When a heater is running, Honeycomb blinds reduce heat loss through windows by up to 60%, which equals around 10% savings on your heating energy. In hotter months, honeycomb blinds reduce unwanted heat from the sun through windows by up to 60% when installed with a tight fit. They are available in different layering options, including single and double-cell.
Heavy curtains or drapes
Drapes or curtains are another way to insulate your home by adding one extra barrier against the cold winter air. The main difference is that curtains are sized to fit the window, and drapes reach the floor.
Keep reading: www.curtainclean.co.nz...
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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84.6% Yes
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13.9% 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.
Become an SPCA Foster Hero!
Kitten season has arrived, and over the next six months, over 8,000 cats and kittens will come into SPCA’s care. Please help us give these babies the best start in life and sign up to be a foster parent today! It's not just cats and kittens - we are also urgently seeking foster homes for dogs and small animals.
Fostering saves lives and helps these tiny babies grow into healthy, well-adjusted adults, ready for adoption. We cover all training and costs. All you need is time and love to spare!
Sign up today and save a life!
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