Draught proofing

Here's a simple test - hold the palm of your hand up against the windows in your home.  If you feel cold air coming through, then warm air is escaping.  In fact, in a typical home 20 per cent of all heat loss is through ventilation and draughts.

Draught proofing is an easy, cost-effective way to reduce heating bills.  Most materials are available from DIY stores.  Check the quality of the products.  It will affect their performance and durability.  They should conform to the standard BS 7386.

There are several types of materials available - from brushes, foams, types of sealant, to strips and shaped rubber or plastic.  The Draught Proofing Association can help you decide which is best for your home.

Check out the grants and offers that may be on offer. The Energy Saving Trust website can often direct you to the latest grants on offer, together with the grants information page on this website.

It is important to remember that once your home has been draught proofed, this will reduce ventilation. Although not normally a problem in most rooms, a lack of ventilation can cause condensation, especially in kitchens and bathrooms. When using bathrooms, or while preparing meals, opening the windows on the first notch should provide adequate ventilation. Leave windows open for a short period after use.

Things to consider when draught proofing your home:

• Adequate ventilation is as important as draught proofing - and essential if you have solid fuel fires, gas fires, or a boiler with an open flue.
• Trickle vents in the window frame provide background ventilation - not usually enough on their own, but they reduce the need to open windows. 
• A lack of ventilation can cause condensation anywhere in the home, but especially in kitchens and bathrooms.
• If you have them, use trickle vents in rooms where condensation is a problem.
• Unless kitchen and bathroom windows have trickle vents, it's best not to draught proof these, in order to keep condensation under control.
• If condensation is a problem, an extractor fan will help.
• Open a window while cooking, running hot water, or drying clothes.
• If burning solid fuel, have chimneys swept regularly.
• Draught proof internal doors, if needed.

• Check air bricks and louvers for blockages.

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