Winter is coming!

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Jenny’s chat with Lish Fejer on 666 ABC radio on Saturday 15 May at 10.30am couldn’t have come at a better time. WINTER IS COMING CANBERRA, with the temperature set to drop to sub-zero on Sunday morning for the first time this year. 🥶

In case you can’t tune in to hear how to stay comfy in your home this winter, without blowing the bank, here is a run down on their chat.

Jenny could talk until she is blue in the face (and not from the cold) about the simple measures you can take in your home to reduce your energy bills and increase your thermal comfort. But firstly, it is important to understand that houses are complex systems, and airtightness, ventilation, insulation and moisture control all go hand-in-hand and must be considered together when building or renovating. Focusing on one, without thinking through the impact on the others, is asking for trouble.

With that in mind, here are the key messages:

  • air leakage and draught sealing

  • insulation

  • windows - dressings and pelmets, upgrades (including bubble wrap) and open the curtains to let the sun shine in when the sun is shining on the windows!

  • managing moisture to avoid condensation dramas

  • throw rugs and ugg boots are your friend

Air leakage and draught sealing

Most homes in Canberra leak a lot of air through permanently opened vents, gaps and cracks. The constant air movement created by these leaks contributes a LOT to us feeling cold in winter. The most cost effective way to reduce energy usage (and improve comfort) is through draught sealing. In fact, done thoroughly it can reduce your energy bills by a quarter or more! It delivers BIG thermal bang for buck.

For more information take a look at:

Insulation

After draft sealing, insulation is the next thing you should investigate. Check to see what, if any, insulation your home has in the ceiling, walls and under the floor. Start with the ceiling, and top it up if it is thin or patchy. If there is none… get some QUICK! Go for a minimum of R5 and ensure you fill all the gaps. Just 5% gaps reduces the effectiveness of R5 insulation by 50%. Then look at your walls and under the floor.

For more information:

Windows

Windows, even double-glazed ones, are like holes in your walls. This is because when the sun isn't shining through them, they lose heat faster than a typical insulated brick and plasterboard wall. So…

  • when the sun is shining, open your curtains and let that free heat in!

  • get some good quality window dressings (curtains or thermal blinds) and pelmets (even a piece of cardboard can do the trick)

  • add a layer of bubble wrap to the inside of your windows to provide a double-glazing effect

  • consider upgrading your single-glazed windows to double-glazing, BUT ONLY AFTER you have thoroughly draught sealed and insulated your home, otherwise you will be disappointed with the outcome.

For more on windows:

  • Listen to a segment Jenny did last year on how bubble wrap can help you save money on your energy bills.

  • Read our blog posts on windows, and on the importance of good window dressings

  • Read Jenny’s most recent article in Sanctuary Magazine on Creating a Cosy Home where she talks about upgrading to double-glazing, window dressings and optimising window sizes and placement.

Managing Moisture

If your home was previously very leaky, then after thorough draught sealing, you may notice more condensation in your home, on cold surfaces such as windows and window frames. While improving airtightness (by draught sealing) will reduce the amount of moisture getting into the interstitial spaces (the wall cavities and roof space) where it can cause structural damage, it will however, increase the amount of moisture in your home.

As such is it very important that improvements in airtightness are accompanied by appropriate ventilation:

  • install externally ducted exhaust fans to wet areas

  • open your windows regularly (during the middle of the day in winter)

  • don’t use gas heating or cooking - burning natural gas produces carbon dioxide and water, which contributes to moisture loads

  • consider installing an energy recovery ventilation system, if your home is quite airtight or opening windows is an issue due to noise or pollution.

To learn more about condensation (AND HOLISTIC BUILDING SCIENCE):

Throw rugs and Ugg boots

Before you turn on a heater, pull on the Ugg boots and get yourself a good throw rug. These won’t warm the air but they will warm you up and they are far cheaper than running a heater.

Want to know more?

Light House Architecture and Science