Saving energy by stopping draughts

General

Stopping draughts can be cost effective to do and will help save energy, make your home more comfortable and reduce your heating bills.

Heat can escape from almost everywhere in your house.

Draughts through windows and outside doors will let heat escape and waste energy.

Helpful tips:

Check the fit of all your windows and outside doors - make sure there are no gaps
Fit a draught excluding flap behind your letter box and cover the keyhole
Remember to insulate your loft hatch or door and fit draught-proofing around its edges
Always leave sufficient ventilation to keep the air fresh and for gas and coal fires to burn safely
Never block ventilation bricks
Kitchens and bathrooms also need ventilation to avoid excess moisture building up
Put metal or plastic draught-proofing strips around the sides of the doors
Fit draught excluders to the bottoms of doors (attaching strips securely so that they don't trip you up)
Fit plastic sheeting to window frames with double-sided tape or magnetic strip, for a cost effective form of double glazing. Make sure it is easily detachable so that you can escape in the event of fire
Hang heavy curtains or curtains with thermal linings. When you draw curtains, remember not to cover radiators which are under windows.

IMPORTANT

Always remember to leave ventilation for gas fires, boilers and coal fires. Never block ventilators or air bricks. They are there to remove fumes. Air circulation is necessary.

? Did you know

If every UK household installed 3 low-energy lightbulbs enough energy would be saved in a year to supply all the street lighting in the UK.

Source:
Energy Saving Trust 2002

Using an energy efficient lightbulb can cut energy use by over 75%. That’s around £10 a year on the average energy bill, or £68 over the bulb’s lifetime

Source:
Energy Saving Trust 2002

In most homes, lighting accounts for 10 – 15% of the electricity bill

Source: Department of Trade and Industry 2002

Save energy - stop draughts