How to easily draught-proof windows and doors - plus more ways to stay warm for less

Heat is increasingly expensive, here are affordable ways to draught-proof windows and doors and hold on to as much of it as you can

A woman looking out of a window at a winter scene
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Did you know if you don’t draught-proof windows and doors in your home, up to 24% of the heat your home produces can escape? 

When it comes to cutting energy costs the research by MyGlazing has found you're throwing money out of the window by failing to block draughts. 

With this in mind, it’s well worth taking steps to stop precious - and increasingly pricey- warm air from leaving your home by draught-proofing. 

How can you draught-proof your home? It’s surprisingly easy - and inexpensive. Here's how

Draught proof windows, doors and more

Save £60 with cheap draught excluders and hacks

Apply window insulation

Applying window insulation tape over any unwanted gaps can  stop warm air from escaping.

(Image credit: Getty images)

Placing draught excluders around windows and doors - which can cost from as little as £4 could save you £60 a year, according to The Energy Saving Trust.

You can pick up self-adhesive draught-proofing tape from a DIY store for just a few pounds, and place it over unwanted gaps to stop warm air from escaping. You can also stretch cling film or bubble wrap over the inside of windows to trap air and stop draughts.

While you’re out shopping, get your hands on extra flaps or brushes to add to your letter box.

Block gaps under doors with a cheap draught excluder, or fashion your own by filling one leg of a pair of tights with stuffing, and tying or sewing the end closed. Old towels will also do a decent job.

Save £100+ with a few thick rugs

A dog laying on a thick rug

Thick rugs insulate a room better meaning you can turn on the radiator for less time.

(Image credit: Getty images)

If you have wooden or laminate floors, invest in a few thick rugs, as these can insulate a room far better than having bare floors. This means you can turn on the radiator for less time, and won’t have to leave it on throughout the day. 

Energy expert Rosie Macdonald from the Energy Helpline says turning on the central heating for an hour could cost you just over £3 based on an average 35 kW household boiler. 

Cutting back on using the radiator for 30 minutes each day could save you more than £100 in just three months

According to the Energy Saving Trust, insulating your ground floor is a great way to keep your property warm, and can reduce your energy bills by between £30-£70.

Save up to £327 with thermal curtains

a woman putting up curtains

Thicker curtains can help keep heat in on grey days and cold nights.

(Image credit: Getty images)

Consider replacing your curtains with thicker ones for the next few months. 

The Eco Experts say high-quality thermal curtains will cut the average three-bedroom home’s heating bill by £327 per year.

Ensure they are not blocking radiators, as this will stop them from working efficiently. Keep windows firmly closed in the winter to stop cold air from getting in through tiny openings, but keep curtains open during the day so sunlight can warm up your rooms.

 

Save £20 by lagging your pipes

Lagging your pipes - in other words, wrapping insulation around any exposed pipes - is a simple job you can do yourself to reduce heat loss. 

Dr Steve Buckley, head of data science at Loop, the energy-saving smart meter app, said: “Depending on the size of your house, you may only need to spend around £20 on foam lagging – a cost you’ll soon make back. 

"Lagging also has the added benefit of reducing the chances of pipes getting too cold and bursting during the colder months.” 

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Esther Shaw
Writer

Esther Shaw is an award-winning consumer, financial and property journalist, who was formerly Money Editor at the Sunday Express, and Deputy Money Editor at both the Independent and Independent on Sunday. As a freelancer, she has spent the past two decades writing for the money pages of just about every UK national newspaper, as well as a wide variety of websites and magazines.