Save Money With Energy Efficient Curtains and Blinds

Up to 80% of heat loss in a property can be through windows and doors. Thermally efficient curtains and blinds can have a huge effect on energy efficiency and temperature levels within your home. You could fit replacement windows or double glazing. However you have to decide what you can afford and what the cost benefit will be.

Thermally efficient curtains and blinds can add 10 – 15% to the cost of your curtains. However these will improve energy efficiency by up to 40%

Thermally efficient curtains contain the following layers

medium to heavy weight interlining.

Cotton/ wool material sandwiched between the front (face) fabric of your curtains and the lining fabric.

Thermal or blackout lining fabric

Thermal lining fabric has a thin, rubberised backing to reduce heat loss.

Blackout lining has an extra acrylic layer to prevent light passing through the fabric.

English Heritage found that heavy curtains reduced the heat loss by 41% (and lowered the u-value from 4.3 to 2.5). Secondary glazing to existing sash windows can cut u-values to 1.7

The following give details of cost savings upgrading from single to double glazing.

[Based on 4p per kWh using gas central heating]

House   Type	Window   area	1 Year saving	5 year saving	10 year   saving
Terrace	12.7m²	£119.62	£635.06	£1,371.27
Semi-detached	16.9m²	£159.17	£845.08	£1,824.76
Detached	23.7m²	£223.22	£1,185.11	£2,558.98

These results have been generated by the Glass and Glazing Federation Energy Saving Calculator.

The link below will enable you to check out the details for your home.

http://www.ggf.org.uk/energy-savings-calculator

This will help you decide if energy savings from installing double glazing will help you pay for the cost of installation.

We can offer advice on fitting and supply of energy efficient curtains and blinds.

Contact us; we are here to help you.

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Central Heating Radiator Sizing

Radiators are often not correctly sized for the room size or intended use. It is important to correctly size radiators for the size of room to be heated and environmental conditions. Rooms with large windows, north facing [in northern hemisphere] and south facing [in southern hemisphere] take more energy to maintain at a comfortable temperature. Radiator sizing also needs to take account of ceiling height. As heat rises a larger radiator size is needed for higher ceilings.

Always check manufacturers data for heat output, stated in BTU/Watt values. Note bathroom towel rail type radiators are generally not suitable to heat a bathroom. Be sure to calculate room heating requirements when choosing a towel radiator.

Chrome towel radiator. Check heat output Watt/BTU if you want this radiator to also heat your bathroom.

The table below details the correct values for different types of rooms and locations. The values are based on 1m³. You can multiply the table values by the volume of your room [length x width x height] to see what you need. Manufacturers and Retailers can give details of Watts/BTU values for each radiator size and type.

Per m³	lounge, sitting room, study, games room, dressing room, dining room		bedrooms, bathrooms and shower rooms		common areas, halls, landings and kitchens
	Approximate heat loss value		Approximate heat loss value		Approximate heat loss value
Room type	Watts	BTU	Watts	BTU	Watts	BTU
standard room, where non of the factors below apply	51	174	41	140	31	106
north facing room	59	200	47	161	36	122
very large windows or french windows	61	209	49	168	37	127
double glazed	46	157	37	126	28	95
very large double glazed or french windows	56	191	45	154	34	116
north facing with double glazing	54	183	43	147	33	111
north facing* with large windows or french windows	69	235	55	189	42	143
north facing room with very large double glazed windows or french windows	64	218	51	175	39	132

* North facing in northern hemisphere and south facing in southern hemisphere. This is because the exterior structure of the building is in permanent shade. This could also apply to buildings in close proximity to each other. It may also be the case that exterior walls are in permanent shade.

When adding a new radiator to an existing system it is important to check the radiator sizes of all existing radiators. The heat output capacity of your boiler needs to be checked to confirm the additional radiator[s] will work efficiently.

Please also check my post on radiator types http://wp.me/p2hJc5-4i  for details of type 11, type 21 and type 22 radiators.