Keep out the chill by draught-proofing your home
According to the Energy Saving Trust, taking steps to draught-proof around your windows and doors could save you up to £50 a year, going up to £70 if you have an open chimney.
How to draught-proof your house
You can hire a professional to draught-proof your house, or - since it’s a reasonably straightforward task - do it yourself.
If you decide to do it yourself, remember that ventilation, while a pain in the cold winter months, is necessary for airing out your house and keeping it free of damp and mould. So, it’s important to take care not to cover anything that’s been deliberately installed to improve ventilation, like extractor fans, airbricks, or wall vents.
Where and how to fix draughts in your home
Windows
If your windows open, draught-proofing strips - either cheap self-adhesive strips or longer-lasting metal or plastic ones - can cover the gap where an unwanted cold breeze might enter your home. You’ll need to cut the strip down to the right size, otherwise it might stop you from closing the window, or fail to stop the draught coming in.
These strips won’t work for sliding sash windows - use brush strips instead, or speak to a professional. You can use a silicone sealant if your windows don’t open - if they do, it will fix them shut. Another piece of damp-proofing kit you can add to your arsenal is thermal window insulation film - simply make sure your window is clean, and stick it on.
Doors
If your front door opens onto the outside world, it’ll probably let in quite a chill if you don’t take steps to seal it up. Covering your keyhole, adding a brush to your letterbox and the bottom of your door, and securing the edges of the door with foam, a brush, or draught-proofing strips are cheap, quick fixes for stopping draughts.
Plus, the doors of rooms that aren’t usually heated, like a spare room, should be kept shut to ensure cold air is locked securely away. Add a draught excluder - you can buy one, or even sew one yourself - to the bottom of your door for extra defence against draughts.
Chimneys
An open chimney that goes unused is liable to let in gusts of cold air, ultimately defeating the purpose of spending so much money and energy on heating. You can plug the gap at the top of the chimney by fitting a cap on it - consider hiring a professional who can do so safely. For an easier and more affordable fix, install a chimney balloon, an inflatable device that goes inside the chimney and plugs the gap. Or, simply attach a draught excluder to the inside of the chimney or the fireplace.
Floorboards and skirting boards
Cracks in your floorboards can be filled with flooring filler, decorators caulk, or mastic sealants. Since these are flexible and silicone based, they’ll adapt as your floorboards shift with day to day use. Be careful when using, as they’re quick acting and permanent - clean up any spills immediately.
Pipework
Gaps around pipework can also be filled with silicone fillers if they’re small, while bigger gaps should be filled with expanding polyurethane foam, which grows in size and hardens in place.
Old extractor fans
Since extractor fans are conn
ected to the outside, they’re prone to letting in cold air. It’s possible you’ll need to fill in the hole with concrete blocks and seal it on both sides.
Cracked walls
Small cracks in your wall can be addressed with cement or hard-setting fillers. Be aware that any significant cracks may indicate a structural problem - speak to a builder or surveyor if you’re concerned.
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