HOUSEHOLDS are trying to save money as prices soar – and using a simple draft excluder could slash as much as £45 off energy bills.
Keeping cold air out and hot air in with a draught excluder could help you save money this winter.
1
Energy bills are set to be frozen at £2,500 from October 1, Prime Minister Liz Truss has announced.
But millions will still be concerned about they will be able to afford to heat their homes this winter as prices remain sky high.
There’s not much you can do to buffer yourself against soaring prices, but you can cut your energy usage and save on bills.
Using a draught excluder is one way to cut the amount of energy you’re using.
Placing draught excluders around windows and doors could save you £45 a year, according to The Energy Saving Trust.
This is because keeping chills out will keep your house warmer.
That means you’re less likely to use your heating as much – saving you money on your bill.
We’ve rounded up five of the best draft excluders you can buy from right now.
But keep in mind that there many stores sell draft excluders and there may be cheaper deals available elsewhere so make sure you’ve found the best price before you hit the buy button.
Most read in Money
Factor in delivery costs too, if you’re ordering online – you don’t want to be caught out.
Wilko’s diall white Self-adhesive draught seal – £4
Old windows and poorly insulated frames can cost a fortune to replace, but using window draught seals is an easy and affordable way to stop the cold air coming in.
Wilko’s rubber, self-adhesive seal can fill gaps from 1.5mm to 3mm to help reduce heat loss.
You can pick it up from your local Wilko, or you can order it online.
The retailer charges £4.95 for standard delivery and £7.95 for next day delivery.
It costs £4.95 and can be ordered here.
Dunelm Mill Clara draught excluder – £14-16
This plush, velvet draught excluder is ideal for keeping your home warm and cosy during the colder months.
It is filled with plump and durable polyester fibres.
It comes in three colours including emerald, ink blue and teal.
It costs between £14 and £16 depending on the colour, and is available to buy here.
Standard delivery costs £3.95, but Dunelm offers free UK standard delivery on all orders over £49.
B&Q Housemate Flexible Door Insulation Tape – £9.99
B&Q’s flexible, rubber draught strip is perfect for stopping draughts around old or ill-fitting doors and windows.
It includes high quality tape for fixing to either the frame or the door or window.
The DIY experts say it is a low cost, effective form of insulation and keeps warmth in and cold draughts out.
It is available to buy here for £9.99.
If you order online, you will pay £6 for standard delivery.
You can also check out your local B&Q to see if they are on sale – you can find your local store by using this handy locator tool.
John Lewis Dora designs schnauzer senior draught excluder – £38
This cute draught excluder is a little bit pricier than some of the others at £38.
But it’s ideal for keeping out drafts coming through the bottom of doors.
It is available to buy from the John Lewis website.
John Lewis offers free delivery on orders over £50.
But if you don’t spend that much, you will be charged £3.95 for standard delivery.
You could look in your local John Lewis to see if it is in stock, or you could use the retailer’s click and collect service.
It is free on orders over £30 and costs £2 if you spend less.
Stormguard Door Brush Strip Draught Excluder – £9.29
This brush draught excluder seals gaps of up to 25mm, can be cut to size and comes complete with fixings and pre-drilled holes.
At under £10, it’s a super cheap and effective way to deal with draughts, and has been praised by reviewers for being ‘easy to fit’ and making ‘a huge difference’ to inefficient doors.
It comes in a gold or aluminium finish, and there’s also a smaller version for gaps of up to 15mm.
Just measure the space under your door and you’re good to go!
Amazon charges £3.99 for standard delivery and £5.99 for same day.
The draft excluder is available to buy here for £9.29.
How else can I save money on bills?
There are a number of cheap and easy ways to heat your home – and save money on your bills.
A cheap way of putting on the heating is by only turning the radiators on in the rooms you are using.
How much you can save from this varies on a number of factors, such as how big your house is for example.
A classic money saving energy bill trick is to turn your thermostat down by one degree.
This can shave as much as £100 off your bill.
If you’re tempted to turn it up a notch when the weather turns, reach for a jumper instead to avoid a bill sting.
Putting foil behind your radiator could save you £20 a year, according to British Gas engineer Joanna Flowers.
Instead of your radiator blowing hot air at the wall, if you put the foil behind the radiator, it will reflect it and more hot air will be circulated around your home.
Energy suppliers offer cash grants to those hardest hit by bills rises.
The British Gas hardship fund can give you up to £1,500 free cash towards bills.
You can get £150 off your energy bills with the Warm Home Discount scheme.
While when temperatures plummet, those in low income households can get a £25 Cold Weather payment.
If you’re worried about falling behind on bills or if you’re in debt. there are plenty of organisations where you can get free advice, including:
