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Are you heading to the library this weekend? Don't forget that we are still running our Pay it Forward campaign. We are collecting non-perishable items for Waikato Women's Refuge - Te Whakaruruhau up until the end of the month. If you are willing and able to donate, we are accepting … View moreAre you heading to the library this weekend? Don't forget that we are still running our Pay it Forward campaign. We are collecting non-perishable items for Waikato Women's Refuge - Te Whakaruruhau up until the end of the month. If you are willing and able to donate, we are accepting donations across all Hamilton City Library locations!
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.
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.
Looking for cash to supercharge your next creative project? Creative communities scheme funding is now open!
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 moreMake 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.
Did you know that across Aotearoa New Zealand, nearly 440 people every week contact Netsafe for online harassment, image-based abuse, hate speech, grooming, scams, and school incidents?
Join us on Thursday 29 July 6-7pm at Hillcrest Library to learn about some of the threats that are affecting … View moreDid you know that across Aotearoa New Zealand, nearly 440 people every week contact Netsafe for online harassment, image-based abuse, hate speech, grooming, scams, and school incidents?
Join us on Thursday 29 July 6-7pm at Hillcrest Library to learn about some of the threats that are affecting homes all across New Zealand. You can also ask questions to experts and get some advice on how to keep yourself safe online.
You can pre-register your interest, or you can simply show up on the evening. Link is below!
Did you know that across Aotearoa New Zealand, nearly 440 people every week contact Netsafe for online harassment, image-based abuse, hate speech, grooming, scams, and school incidents?
Join us on Thursday 29 July 6-7pm at Hillcrest Library to learn about some of the threats that are affecting … View moreDid you know that across Aotearoa New Zealand, nearly 440 people every week contact Netsafe for online harassment, image-based abuse, hate speech, grooming, scams, and school incidents?
Join us on Thursday 29 July 6-7pm at Hillcrest Library to learn about some of the threats that are affecting homes all across New Zealand. You can also ask questions to experts and get some advice on how to keep yourself safe online.
You can pre-register your interest, or you can simply show up on the evening. Link is below!
Did you know that across Aotearoa New Zealand, nearly 440 people every week contact Netsafe for online harassment, image-based abuse, hate speech, grooming, scams, and school incidents?
Join us on Thursday 29 July 6-7pm at Hillcrest Library to learn about some of the threats that are affecting … View moreDid you know that across Aotearoa New Zealand, nearly 440 people every week contact Netsafe for online harassment, image-based abuse, hate speech, grooming, scams, and school incidents?
Join us on Thursday 29 July 6-7pm at Hillcrest Library to learn about some of the threats that are affecting homes all across New Zealand. You can also ask questions to experts and get some advice on how to keep yourself safe online.
You can pre-register your interest, or you can simply show up on the evening. Link is below!
Did you know that across Aotearoa New Zealand, nearly 440 people every week contact Netsafe for online harassment, image-based abuse, hate speech, grooming, scams, and school incidents?
Join us on Thursday 29 July 6-7pm at Hillcrest Library to learn about some of the threats that are affecting … View moreDid you know that across Aotearoa New Zealand, nearly 440 people every week contact Netsafe for online harassment, image-based abuse, hate speech, grooming, scams, and school incidents?
Join us on Thursday 29 July 6-7pm at Hillcrest Library to learn about some of the threats that are affecting homes all across New Zealand. You can also ask questions to experts and get some advice on how to keep yourself safe online.
You can pre-register your interest, or you can simply show up on the evening. Link is below!
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.”
Awatere Village is excited to welcome you to join our close-knit community with the construction of brand-new apartments due for completion in May 2022.
Along with the new apartments, our brand new community centre is in the works to cater to your full and active lifestyle.
Order a … View moreAwatere Village is excited to welcome you to join our close-knit community with the construction of brand-new apartments due for completion in May 2022.
Along with the new apartments, our brand new community centre is in the works to cater to your full and active lifestyle.
Order a barista-made coffee in the café, meet neighbours at the bowling green, and get in a workout at the gym, all in one morning. And and if your afternoon is free, how about catching a movie in the cinema, finding your latest page-turner in the library, or getting creative in the crafts room.
Situated at 1350 Victoria Street, Beerescourt, our handy Hamilton location couldn’t be better.
To find out more, just get in touch with Raewyn on 0800 333 688.
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