A draught whistling through your home in winter isn’t just annoying – it can be a serious drain on your heating budget while also wasting fuel.
Filling in any gaps where cold air is getting in (and warm air’s getting out!) is usually a quick and easy way to keep your home warmer in winter.
Combine this with effective insulation and you’ll not only reduce the amount of energy needed to heat your home, you’ll also reduce the demand for fossil fuels such as natural gas and oil, which are the primary sources of energy used in homes. This reduces emissions of greenhouse gasses, such as carbon dioxide, which are a major contributor to climate change.
A well-insulated home not only stays warmer in winter but also cooler in summer, so any steps you take now will pay off all year round.
Our guide explains some of the ways you can keep your home draught-free and cosy, from five-minute fixes to long-term investments. For more advice, visit the Energy Saving Trust website.
Quick fixes
Check for draughts around doors and windows. If you feel air coming in, self-adhesive strips can block gaps in window frames, while brushes or flexible strips can be attached to the bottom of external doors. Use sealant if there are gaps between window frames and the brickwork. Attach a flap or brush to the back of your letterbox, and a cover for the keyhole. Consider hanging thick curtains (over windows and doors) to keep heat in and draughts out. Close internal doors to unheated rooms, and use old towels as impromptu draught excluders. Fitting an insulating jacket to the hot water tank is cheap and easy.
Bigger projects
If your home has a fireplace, make sure the chimney has a draught excluder fitted (or get the chimney pot capped if it’s no longer used). Unused extractor fan outlets can be removed and bricked up. Loft insulation can be a relatively easy DIY job – so long as the loft isn’t damp or you have a flat roof. If you have bare floorboards or laminate flooring, invest in rugs or consider having carpets fitted, particularly in ground-floor rooms. Floors can be insulated too, though this will probably require professional help, either to lay insulation over a concrete floor before carpet is laid, or by lifting floorboards to hang nets of insulating material underneath.
Long-term solutions
Replacing single-glazed doors and windows with more energy-efficient double- or triple-glazed units is expensive but will pay off over time. The Energy Saving Trust estimates a gas bill saving of £195 a year if all the windows are replaced in a semi-detached house – not to mention the reduced emissions. About a third of the heat loss from homes is through the walls, so consider cavity wall insulation. The price will depend on the size of your property but it’s likely you’ll recoup the costs within five years or so, thanks to the money saved.
Remember to ventilate
Whichever steps you take to keep your home warmer this winter, it’s important not to forget about ventilation. Moisture must be able to escape (particularly from bathrooms and kitchens), otherwise your property could suffer from damp and condensation. Don’t block underfloor airbricks, as these stop wooden beams and floorboards becoming damp. Modern windows often have trickle vents at the top to allow a small amount of fresh air in – don’t seal or block these. Use extractor fans when cooking or showering to remove damp air from the room – just ensure the fan is efficient and doesn’t allow cold air in when not in use.
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