Central Coast Home & Lifestyle Magazine Summer 2016

Stop throwing money out the window this summer!

W ith all the talk around at the moment about energy bills, it’s the little things we look to in our home to keep the costs down. The NSW government “Save Power” website *states:- “Windows are a big source of unwanted temperature loss and gain in your home. Choosing the right window coverings mean you can improve the comfort of your home all- year-round, reduce your power bills by around $55 or more, and cut carbon pollution by 200 kg each year.” TOP 9 TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR WINDOWS COOLER THIS SUMMER 1. Anything you put on your window will help, as up to 40% of the heat is coming through the glass and into your home. The larger the window, the more heat is radiating through it. Heat can also come through the roof, doors and walls of your home. The thicker the fabric you use on your blind, the better. It’s all about layers and pockets of air. The more you have or thicker the fabric you have, the better insulation. 2. Keep blinds, shutters or curtains closed on particularly hot days. In the heat of Summer if the window is facing the East (Sunrise) or the West (Sunset) keep the blind closed during this time to prevent it heating up the

controlling the light. S h u t t e r s are thicker than most b l i n d s and are a p r e m i u m solution to insulating your home. 8. The colour

room. Once the main source of heat has gone, you can open the blind. 3. With new technology now available you can programme and automate your motorized blinds to roll down automatically in the afternoon to protect against the hot afternoon sun. Motorized blinds can now be operated remotely from smart phones anywhere in the world. 4. Put external blinds, awnings and roller shutters down over windows that have direct sun on them on a hot day. This adds an extra layer of protection for your window and keeps the heat off the window. It is the glass window heating up that radiates heat into your home. Stopping the heat from the outside is the most effective. 5. The most effective window treatment externally for blocking the heat are aluminum roller shutters, thick canvas fabric window awnings, acrylic fabric window awnings or screen fabric window awnings. 6. The most effective window treatments internally for blocking the heat are thick curtains, plantation shutters, honeycomb insulated blinds, thick blockout blinds, or dual roller blinds (2 blinds on one window, 1 screen, and 1 blockout) 7. Plantation Shutters are an ideal insulator and can create a well-insulated room while

of the fabric that is exposed to the sun makes a difference when it comes to heat. The lighter fabrics are cooler and reflect more heat. Think a black car as opposed to a white car. 9. Ask a trained window furnishing consultant about how to get the best insulation effect with your new blinds, awnings or shutters. Many will carry a compass to identify the hottest areas of the house and be able to give you advice on how to manage it. This article supplied by Sharon Tieman Director. Premier Shades 18/482 Pacific Highway, Wyoming Ph: 02 4324 8800. www.premiershades.com.au *reference from: -www.savepower.nsw.gov.au

& Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2016 19

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