Curtain Tips

juz to share with you guz on my experience with curtains and advices from many aunties who used and had curtain experience.

1st, to save money if you have a budget, is to buy ready made curtain. ready made curtain are not as bad as what we think they are. there are some really nicely done up ones.

2nd, installation of rods and racks are usually quite standard.
pricing ranging from S$3.50 - S$6 for normal wood rod. anything above S$6 is those fancy and nicer looking wood rod. but do bare in mind, normally visitors don't juz stand there and admire your curtain wood rod. 

S$3.50 for rack type.

3rd, nowadays the in type is using organza for day curtain. similarly, in the past, ppl use lacy type or abit lacy type for day curtain. so if you don't mind, abit lacy type is worth your money if you are doing custom made. it has a english country feel.

4th, consider the durability of the material. for organza, it can be scratched, meaning you will see the fabric string been pulled or stretch juz like silk. so do consider this factor. can your curtain materials be machine washed or do you need to send for laundry service? izt easily cleaned or stained?

5th, do not only consider abt asthetic factor. did you guz consider how are often are you and how are you going to wash your curtains? usually, you will throw in your washing machine and wash but if its a too thick and heavy type, i think your washing machine will hv a hard type washing it clean.

6th, and how many sets of curtains are you going to hv? some may think 1 set is enough. but if its spoiled or washed, do you need changing curtains?

7th, steps to ask for curtain quotation:
a) measure your window size
b) measure your window + the top, bottom, left and right wall size
c) look up yellow pages and send them fax / emails / call them up for quotation
d) go to those shops to view their ready made curtains sample and custom made sample
e) go to nieghbourhood curtain shops, some may offer vy gd price and advice

8th, sizes do matter.
generally, half length and 1 layer of nite curtain only cost lesser.

other alternatives:
1) buy materials from spotlight, arab street textile shops etc., and get ppl to sew for you
2) diy yourself
3) go JB to buy

Please Cool Me Down...Inverter or Non-Inverter Air Conditioner

Non Inverter
The compressor and its motor are manufactured to operate at constant speed or single speed only. In simple terms, it is either in the on (Full Power) or off (No Power) mode.
Therefore for Non Inverter, you will actually feel the air conditioner blowing cold air one moment and normal wind at another.
Due to this operating principle, the electrical consumption is higher and the compressor tends to spoil more easily because of the frequent start-stop. And there is no part load capabilities.

1) Orginally, Non Inverter air con uses only one big compressor linking to a few indoor units. Thus no matter how many rooms u use, you are always using the full capacity of the compressor. This is actually very inefficient. For example, the electrical comsumption will be the same when using 1 room and 3 rooms.

2) But as technology improved, most of the Non Inverter air conditioners in the market are using 2 compressors. For example, a System 3 will have 1 compressor of 8500 btu and the other at 12000 btu. The 8500 btu will be connected to 1 indoor unit while the 12000 btu will be connected to 2 indoor units. Therefore when operating 1 room, you will be using only 1 compressor.
** If you are using the 2 indoor units that are connected to the 12000 btu compressor, you will only get max 6000 btu each. **



3) May it be new or old, as long as it is a Non Inverter, you will get the 'cut in' and 'cut out' of the compressor. In other words, everytime the room reaches the pre-set temperature, the compressor will stop working. And when it senses an increase in temperature, it will start running again. Thus through out the night, you will experience the 'start and stop' of the compressor. In addition to that, the temperature will fluctuate as the indoor unit changes from 'COOL' to 'FAN' mode accordding to the 'start - stop' of the compressors.

4) Due to the frequently start-stop of the compressor, more eletricity will be comsumed as more power is needed to start the system all over again whenever it stopped. In addition, the compressor will also have a shorter life span.

5) Most Non Inverter Multi Split Systems have 'standard' combinations. For example, Sys 3 will be 9+9+9. When you required other combinations, you usually have to pay more as it may require a high capacity outdoor unit. And the largest indoor unit capacity for Multi Split System is 12k btu.
** For some brands, the largest can be 18k but usually it requires a higher capacity of compressor. The compressor capacity should never be smaller than the highest indoor unit capacity individualy **

So why not just have the Inverter and phase out the Non Inverter?Price is the main reason. The difference can range from $600 to $800. Therefore for owners that do not have a habit of using air conditioner every night, it may be more worthwhile getting a Non Inverter air conditioner.

But do consider the following factors before making the final decision
a) the Electrical Tariffs might rise in the future.
b) your air conditioning usage might increase when your family gets more members.
c) you may be so used to sleeping in an air conditioned environment thus it becomes a habit even when it is raining outside.
d) the air conditioner might last longer than 5 years.
** These do not apply to those who have too much money and dun know where to spend **

What is an Inverter? 
It is a power conversion circuit that is able to regulate the current, voltage and frequency of a device

Then what is an Inverter Air Conditioner?
This circuit board is able to vary the frequency of the motor which in turn control the revolution of the compressor. Therefore the compressor speed can be adjust to meet the cooling load neccessary. And with continous, precise and fast feedback process, changes in cooling load will be responed effectively thus minimising temperature fluctuation.

So how does an inverter saves electrical bills?This is because of its part load capabilites. After an inverter air conditoner attains the set temperature, instead of 'switching off' like a non inverter, it uses the minimum power to ensure your room is maintain at the required temperature and adjust smoothly with response to any changes in the cooling load. Overall, you use less electricity.

But an Inverter air con costs more than a Non Inverter. Then why should I get an Inverter instead of a Non Inverter?1) Because an Inverter is more energy efficient. Strictly speaking, you should calculate the 'breakeven period' or 'simple payback period'. If it falls within 5 years, then it will more economical to purchase an Inverter now.

2) When you lived in an old HDB with 8.5amp or 11amp current limit. But you want to install a System 4 for 3 bedrooms and 1 living. But a System 4 usually runs at a current of 11amp and above. Accordding to HDB regulations, you cannot install more than 1 outdoor unit or any outdoor unit having a running ampere of more than 8.5 or 11.
Therefore the only solution is to go for an inverter with variable current settings.

3) When you want a special combination like 15K+12K+9K. Only inverter allows you to choose the indoor unit combination freely.

4) When you cannot stand the outdoor unit noise level. Go get an inverter QUICK! Inverters are generally quieter in terms of outdoor unit than Non Inverters.

5) When you do not like anything that is using older technology. Tech Savy!!!!
Summary of Inverter Air Conditioners
1) Are generally of higher quality especially those using R410A refrigerant.
2) Has longer compressor life span.
3) Are very much quiet.
4) Will reduce your electrical consumption especially when using for long periods.


A SIMPLE COMPARISON

THE SELECTED ONES

Intelligent Inverter

Eco Patrol Sensor

Advanced+Plus e-ion Air Purifying System

12,000 BTU

Intelligent Inverter+Eco Patrol Sensor

The Intelligent Inverter regulates the compressor’s rotational speed to deliver cost-efficient, energy-saving performance at all times. The new Eco Patrol responds intuitively to the level of human presence and activity, and adjusts cooling power for maximum comfort and maximum savings. The Intelligent Inverter with Eco Patrol gives energy savings of up to 60%*. * Comparison between an Inverter model with Eco Patrol and a non-Inverter model without Eco Patrol – both operating for two hours. The Intelligent Inverter saves 50%, Eco Patrol adds an additional 10% for 60% energy savings.

Advanced+Plus e-ion Air Purifying System

The Advanced+Plus e-ion Air Purifying System with Patrol Sensor monitors the air, and effectively deactivates more than 99%* of harmful micro-organisms for cleaner and healthier air.

My choosen Quotations 

Panasonic$2930 nett (free $200 NTUC vouchers, while stock last)
- Panasonic inverter system 3 CU3S27MKZ (new) / CSS12MKZ + CSS9MKZ X 2 (12kbtu + 9k btu X 2)
- 1/2 inch Armaflex class "1" insulation- G23 copper pipe
- 13mm drainage pvc pipe
- free 2 trips installation
- free dismantle of old air-con
- One year warranty for worksmanship & air-con equipments. Five years warranty for compressor

The price quite hefty though,wanted to buy the non-inverter but thinking in future,saving electricity in long run is a plus point,With  4 ticks..saving electrics why not... 

Coffee table No Match :[

Looking back at my coffee table I place order,it seems it's a bit too complicated to go with the sofa.Planning to cancel my coffee table and get another one online with a designer look with reasonable price :] What do you think?

Nice squarish design but too blunt

This look unique and seem nice to blend with my sofa,although small but I have my dining table behind..

+

Lightings made me go Mad!!!

Last week when to JB, bought 3 nos 60" ceiling fans with led light (white and blue).With 8 speed and remote control and cos me $399RM which is about SGD$157 each!!! Luckily we went through the custom and no need to pay tax :]

It's a DEKA brand made in Malaysia according to the sales assistant just pay around $35 for transport for servicing in Singapore.Dunno whether it's true but a $157 ceiling fan with lights and remote make me go WOW...lol..btw it's 5 years warranty and 10 years on motor..Like the design because it have black blade,one for my room,living room,guest room,mum's will choose another model though...

wanted this chandelier original price RM$980..now RM$580 which is around SGD$247 for a crystal chandelier??? OMG..lol.Their PLC 6" downlights cost RM$40 with 2 tube light around SGD$16...

After discusiing with my reno buddy and commented by my sister in law that for modern contemporary design might not match so I thought of the lights below,get the source from online lighting shop in Singapore and the price is very reasonable :]

 To be place at my dining area....my dining set will be black whole wall will be while and the L-Box cornice will accompany this light..call "ANGEL 36061" the model name.It looks gorgeous....

 unique standing light,designer look with reasonable price 

Designer lights which can change direction of the bulb..cool huh

So I made my choice dining light buy online and PLC downlights,rest of the lights to buy in JB this coming thursday..unless JB got cheaper dining light..maybe I would buy lol