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...
Say goodbye to tyre waste
About 40% of the 6.5 million tyres Kiwis use every year are recycled, repurposed, or used as tyre-derived fuel. But the rest end up in landfills, stockpiled or dumped.
The good news is now there’s an easy solution to all that tyre waste. It’s called Tyrewise and is New Zealand’s first national tyre recycling scheme.
Tyrewise ensures that tyres in Aotearoa New Zealand are recycled or repurposed properly, saving millions from going to the landfill.
Find out more about the scheme online.
Poll: Does the building consent process need to change?
We definitely need homes that are fit to live in but there are often frustrations when it comes to getting consent to modify your own home.
Do you think changes need made to the current process for building consent? Share your thoughts below.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
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91.9% Yes
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7.7% No
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0.5% Other - I'll share below!
Know Thy Neighbour? We are getting there!
We are loving seeing everyone's posts about themselves on our Know Thy Neighbour page.
Check out the neighbours in your area, you might find a walking group or choir to join and you might learn a few more neighbours names!
Feel like getting involved? Introduce yourself too, you might win one of our $50 Prezzy® card spot prizes...
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