cooling

How to draught-proof your manhole

giy — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 21:17:31 +0000

How to draught-proof your manhole giy Fri, 06 Dec 2019 - 08:17

How to draught-proof the bottom of a door

lish — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 00:57:49 +0000

How to draught-proof the bottom of a door lish Thu, 17 Apr 2014 - 10:57

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Tips and tricks

Make sure the door is completely clean and dry before sticking on the draught-strip.
Check that the rubber seal goes all the way to the floor but doesn't fold over too much. This may cause too much pressure on the seal and it will pull off.
If the draught-strip comes off, try the screw on draught-strip.
This is a great solution for the inside of any external doors and the outside of internal doors.
For external doors, you may need a stronger product to withstand the weather.

How to draught-proof a hinge door

lish — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 05:35:28 +0000

How to draught-proof a hinge door lish Tue, 15 Apr 2014 - 15:35

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Tricks and tips

This same draught-proofing technique can be used on any hinged door - internal or external.
If at first, your shut the door and it doesn't close or it's still a bit gappy, adjust the tape - more on some sections, less on others.
The adhesive on the tape can be a sticky sucker so if you need to fix it, do it straight away ...don't make a cup of tea and contemplate. It will turn into a hard job.
Get a selection of draught-proof tape. One pack will generally do one standard door.

NEW: How to draught-proof evaporative cooling vents

lish — Mon, 24 Jun 2013 03:24:23 +0000

NEW: How to draught-proof evaporative cooling vents lish Mon, 24 Jun 2013 - 13:24

Links

http://www.heatsaver.com.au

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TIPS AND TRICKS

Many evaporative cooling systems have a 'winter setting' or cover that you can put over the cooling unit on the roof (a tricky job at the best of times) which seals off the unit. This doesn't stop the hot air escaping up the vents and into the ducts. It's much more effective to seal it up at ceiling level.

The 'Heat Saver' vent covers are not insulative. They only stop the draughts. If you want to insulate you have to stuff some insulation up inside the vent (either by removing the louvers or the vent completly). Might be another GIY video.

Subscribe to the newsletter and I'll keep you up to date.

Heat Saver vent covers come in different sizes and styles depending on your vent. Check out their website for more info.

Each HeatSaver vent cover kit costs around $30. They are available online through the link below.

NEW: How to use polyurethane expanding foam to fill gaps and cracks

lish — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 03:18:13 +0000

NEW: How to use polyurethane expanding foam to fill gaps and cracks lish Thu, 13 Jun 2013 - 13:18

NEW: How to draught-proof architraves around windows and doors

lish — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 02:44:36 +0000

NEW: How to draught-proof architraves around windows and doors lish Thu, 13 Jun 2013 - 12:44

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Tricks and tips

Feel around the architrave to locate the gaps. They may look sealed but often they aren't. There could be gaps all around the frame. You will be amazed where air is leaking in and out.

Moroday 'gap filler rod' is a great product for filling up gaps (as the name would suggest!). It comes in different diameters for all occasions.

The gap is still worth sealing up, even if it's pretty small. I use Fullers Ultra Clear - but any caulk will do. If you're at a bit of a loss how to load a caulking gun, check out this GIY video.

WATCH NOW: How to load a caulking gun

lish — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 02:30:25 +0000

WATCH NOW: How to load a caulking gun lish Sat, 09 Mar 2013 - 13:30

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Tips and tricks:

Caulking guns come in a variety of qualities. Get a decent one if you are going to be doing a fair bit of work with it. Expect to pay between $3 for a 'once every now and then' one and $20 for a high end one.

I'd get a good quality one. They are much easier to use and generally give you better control and results.

Try and go for a dripless variety. They do seem to stop the 'flow-on effect' even when you have taken the pressure off the trigger.

If your gun doesn't have a tip cutter, use a knife to cut the nozzle and watch your fingers.

Caulking guns are used for caulk, sealants, liquid nails, silicon. Once you know how to load it, there will be no end to your GIYing.

This is an Australian video. In America caulking and sealant tubes may be different with a foil cover on the cartridge. Rather than cutting the end off the tube, you can use the little spike on the side of the caulking gun to lance a hole in the top of the tube.

WATCH NOW: Covering for windows to keep your house cool.

lish — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 05:23:38 +0000

WATCH NOW: Covering for windows to keep your house cool. lish Thu, 10 Nov 2011 - 16:23

Links

http://www.concertinafoilbatts.com/renshade.htm

Fact sheet

We put a ‘reflective’ barrier called Renshade (basically Aluminium Foil laminated, perforated cardboard) on a west facing window. You can buy it here at EcoMaster (Australian site).

This is a quick, cheap and effective way of stopping the room heating up in Summer. If you want to be more comfortable during Summer but don’t want to spend a fortune on external shading, then this is a great project.

Most internal blinds and window coverings don’t do a great job at keeping the heat out. Heavy drapes with pelmets are OK but renshade is good, very good.

Fast Facts:

 When sun hits a glass window, it heats up the room. If you want to stay cool in summer you have to stop the sun hitting the glass.
 It is best to stop the sun hitting the glass from OUTSIDE with awnings, blinds, shade-cloth or deciduous vegetation. This can be costly and time- consuming (growing the trees and vines)
 The next best thing is to reflect the heat back outside with something on the inside of the windows.
 Renshade works a bit like a mirror reflecting heat from the sun, back outside. It blocks about 85% of the heat and light . The holes allow you to see some of the view outside.
 It is great for west and east facing windows as well as skylights.
 Renshade is can be taken down when the heat of Summer is over. and you want the free heat from the Sun.. Roll it up and store in a poster tube for next year.
 It will help to keep your house cooler so you don’t have to run a cooling system as often if at all. This all means to lower bills and lower emissions.

Fact Sheet Attachments

Renshade Factsheet.pdf

Shopping list

Shopping list for Renshading Windows.

You don’t need much for this GIY job but you will need the Renshade. You could probably also use rinsed out BBQ bags or tin foil or anything reflective (excluding your mood).

Renshade is manufactured in Melbourne. You can get it direct from the supplier or find an enviro/eco shop online that stocks it.

Approx cost:

1.35m x1m = $20.00 1.35m x5m = $81.00 1.35m x10m = $162.00

1.35m x 20m = $324.00

Shopping List Attachments

Shopping list for Renshade.pdf

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Top tips and tricks

Renshade is especially brilliant for east and west facing windows and skylights.

At first, you will think it looks 'less than stylish' (to put it nicely) but once you have felt the difference in temperature you will love it.

It will take about 15 minutes to do each window.

It is for the inside of the window. It is cardboard so goes a bit soggy in the rain.

Reflects about 85% of heat back outside.

Take it down in winter to make the most of the free winter warmth from the sun.

Renshade is only available in Australia.

WATCH NOW: How to draught-proof an extractor fan with a Draftstoppa®

lish — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 00:45:37 +0000

WATCH NOW: How to draught-proof an extractor fan with a Draftstoppa® lish Fri, 15 Jul 2011 - 10:45

Links

http://www.draftstoppa.com.au/

http://greentasreno.wordpress.com/2009/07/19/draft-stoppa-installation/

Shopping list

DraftStoppa’s are available in most large hardware stores and online.

Check out the DraftStoppa website for a list of distributors in your state.

They cost between $25 - $35 each

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Top Tips and Tricks

This is a quick 30-minute GIY job.

Saves up to 30% on heating and cooling costs.

Cost $25 - $35 from most hardware and green stores in Australia or online.

DraftStoppa® only be put on extractor fans that vent directly into the roof cavity. They are not for ducted or wall-mounted exhaust fans.

You need to be able to crawl around in your roof space - not for flat roofed houses.

Don't be afraid of your roof space. Take up a good light and a dustmask. Before long you might even take up a beanbag and a good book!

Make sure there is no insulation over the DraftStoppa®.

It is possible to install a DraftStoppa® on heat lamp/fan combos in your bathroom, but it will need to be modified with a mounting plate and rewiring the electrics so fan turns on whenever the heat lamps are turned on.

WATCH NOW: How to draught-proof wall vents

lish — Wed, 11 May 2011 12:37:55 +0000

WATCH NOW: How to draught-proof wall vents lish Wed, 11 May 2011 - 22:37

Fact Sheet Attachments

Facts Sheet for draft-proofing wall vents.pdf

Shopping List Attachments

Shopping list for draught-proofing wall vents.pdf

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Tips and Tricks

This job will take you 5 minutes/vent.

Moroday gap-filler rod cost ~ $1/metre

This job needs a long ladder to get you up to ceiling height. Do not stand on a complicated arrangement of boxes. DANGER.

This is a solution for no-frills wall vents. Subscribe to GIY for updates on ornate solutions.

Do not block up wall vents in bathrooms, laundries and kitchens. These areas need good ventilation to stop condensation and damp.

Do not block up wall vents in rooms that have an unflued gas heater or open fire. These rooms need good ventilation to allow fumes to escape and oxygen to enter.

In rooms that get stuffy (eg windows that don't open) you might like to leave a small gap un-blocked for venting air. In Summer, you might want to remove the 'gap filler rod' completely.

Blocking up these vents does not mean your house will be full of stale stinky air. It just means that you can be in control of the air that comes in and out by opening windows.