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As well as draught proofing, reduce heat loss from windows with insulating layers (shutters, curtains, blinds, secondary glazing).
- Fix secondary glazing inside your present windows — make sure that the panels can be lifted off or hinged so that you can open the windows easily and clean them safely. Only fit draught proofing to the secondary panels — so that external air will prevent condensation forming in the gap between the windows and secondary glazing.
- Line curtains — whether you have single or double glazing, insulated curtains can help to save energy, but don’t let them overhang radiators or the heat will be funnelled out of the window!
- If you have old wooden shutters, release them if they’re stuck and renovate them so that the shutters are easy to close at night.
- Fit blinds made of insulating fabric with a reflective backing — but make sure they run in guide rails which discourage downdraughts.
When it’s hot weather it’s tempting to use fans or even air-conditioning machines, but they use energy. Instead, you can limit overheating if you …
- open windows on different sides of the house to create a flow of air.
- fix reflecting solar films to the inside of window glass.
- fit sun awnings outside your windows.
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