As the temperatures start to drop into the autumn and winter months, homeowners are looking for ways to warm up their homes and potentially save money on energy bills.
One easy way of doing so is to draught-proof your home, which also helps reduce damp and condensation building up thanks to the improved ventilation and airflow control.
Due to the British weather, lots of heat tends to be lost thanks to an increase in draughts as well as the cooling effect that the wind has when blowing past walls and roofs.
Draught-proofing tips and advice
Where draughts occur in the home
1. Skirting boards
The most common place to think of when draught-proofing is the skirting boards, and all you’ll need to do is to use sealant to fill in any gaps that rogue air and draughts are getting through.
2. In between floorboards
Cold air can also spread its way throughout your home thanks to gaps in your floorboards. Once again these can just be filled in, using a silicone-based filler.
3. Doors
Gaps underneath and to the side of the doors can also allow cold air to flow through rooms, so draught-proofing these areas is crucial too.
4. Windows
Draughts can also make their way through cracks in the window frames, so make sure to cover any of these using a sealant.
5. Keyholes
To prevent air from making its way through the keyhole, a cover can be bought which allows you to slide a circular metal blocker over the holes.
6. Chimneys
For homes that still have a chimney, you can hire a professional to cap it which can block the opening and prevent unwanted cold air from flowing down the chimney itself.
7. Vents
If there are any disused vents in your home, you can seal them up with an adjustable vent cover which can block airflow.
8. Letterbox
Most letterboxes will already be draught-proofed in a way, either via a secondary flap, brushes or both. If your letterbox has neither, you can get these installed.
9. Lofts
The hatches on your loft can be protected by putting draught strips around the frame, which is important as draughts can reduce the good work that your loft insulation is doing in the background.
Steps to take to help prevent draughts
When heating your home in the colder months, it’s usually advisable to avoid opening windows for long periods as this causes warm air to be lost and cold air to enter the building.
There are certain rooms in the home that require a higher level of ventilation, such as kitchens and bathrooms, as moisture is produced by cooking and showers/baths. Due to this, many people open their windows to allow this moisture to escape, though it can be better to use or install an extractor fan.
Are curtains good for draught-proofing?
Curtains are an underrated help when you’re looking to prevent heat loss from the home. Many homes simply rely on blinds during cold periods throughout the night, but curtains do a much better job of blocking heat escaping.
It’s important to open the curtains again when the sun is outside the window so that the heat can make its way back in.
Some curtains have a bit of extra help, too, thanks to thermal linings. Make sure you don’t hang curtains directly over a radiator, as this will block the heat they create from making its way around the room.
Tips for kitchen ventilation
As mentioned, the kitchen is one of the areas in your home that creates a lot of steam and moisture, but there are steps you can take to help, such as:
1. Ensuring any pans have lids on at all times, preventing excess water vapour from flowing around the room.
2. Using a pressure cooker, which reduces cooking times and thus the amount of steam produced.
3. Keeping each hob burner at a lower level rather than turning it up too high.
How much can you save by draught-proofing?
It’s estimated that around £45 can be saved on your heating bill by draught-proofing your home, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
If your home has an open chimney and you draught-proof it, you could save around £65 per year.
