Draught-busting tips
Once you have your heating working efficiently (see our Warmer Winter Checklist for details), consider which of the following DIY projects you could try to cut down draughts and retain your heat.
Draught proofing
- A great video that shows how to insulate the main areas of your home is this one from Which?.
Doors
- Add insulating tape around the door frames.
- Add a door brush to the bottom of the door.
- Add a keyhole cover.
- Draughtproof your letterbox or consider replacing with a tightly closing model.
- Make or buy a draught excluder.
Floorboards
- Use floor board draught excluder (£25 for 40m) that expands to fill gaps.
- Fill gaps between your skirting board and the floor.
- Rugs can help prevent heat loss through cold spots in floors.
Chimneys
- An open fireplace can lose lots of heat. If you aren’t using a fireplace, you can buy a ‘chimney balloon’ or ‘chimney sheep’ to prevent heat going up the chimney, or you can make your own. Just remember to remove it before using the fireplace again.
Windows
- Install thermal blinds or add thermal material to existing curtains to help trap in heat.
- Temporary ‘secondary glazing film’ can be put over single glazed windows, trapping an insulating layer of air. Cost £5-15 per window.
Lofts
- Add more insulation to your loft. It’s recommended for homes to have 270-300mm of insulation laid on the floor of the loft.
- Add draughtproofing tape around your loft hatch and put insulation on the hatch itself too.
Hot water
- Get an insulating jacket for your hot water tank and add lagging to pipes.
- Gaps around pipe outlets etc. can also be a source of draughts that can be filled.
Radiators
- Add radiator panels behind radiators that are on external walls. There are lots of different types you can buy, or make your own with card and foil. Cost: around £8-12 per radiator.
- [Video] How to install radiator foil
Ventilation and condensation
- Air needs to flow in and out of your house, so it stays healthy. Make sure you don’t block any intentional ventilation such as air bricks, extractor fans, and vents.