With temperatures dropping as wintry weather sets in, many people across the UK will be worrying about the cost of keeping their homes warm.
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Being able to afford eye-watering energy bills can be especially hard at this time of year given there are so many demands on your finances in the run-up to Christmas.
But one simple way to ensure you aren’t wasting money is by preventing draughts from letting heat escape.
This is according to home maintenance expert, Mike Norton, trade and projects director at Magnet Trade.
The DIY whizz told The Sun: “We often find that people have given thought to fixing draughts from things such as windows and exterior doors.
“But there are other lesser-known heat loss hotspots you shouldn’t ignore.”
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If these are letting cold air in, you are essentially throwing money away because you’re not heating your home efficiently.
Mike added: “Draughts don’t just make your home feel chillier, they also drive up your energy bills, too.”
If you end up notching up your thermostat or leaving the heating on for longer, this will cost you more.
“The good news is, there are some cost-effective steps you can take to keep draughts at bay this winter,” said Mike.
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“By making a few small changes, you can ensure your home remains cosy and energy efficient.”
These steps, he adds, could save you hundreds of pounds a year.
Here we take a closer look.
Keyholes
These little holes in your doors may feel like very small gaps, but they can still be draughty.
Mike said: “Don’t underestimate the ability of keyholes to let cold air into your home. Look into installing metal keyhole covers.”
These pivot over the lock and can help keep your house warmer.
You can pick these up from Dunelm from £3.
Letterboxes
As with keyholes, letterboxes may seem insignificant, but can also be a culprit for allowing outside air in.
Moreover, if yours is old, it may flap throughout the day and night which can be annoying.
The home repair and DIY supremo said: “Think about fitting a letterbox brush to keep the heat in your home.”
Amazon has letterbox brushes costing less than a fiver.
Cat flaps
If you have a cat flap that blows open, you need to do something about this, too.
“If this sends a gale through the kitchen, it’s worth investing in a magnetic flap,” said Mike.
“This will prevent air blowing in, but you don’t need to worry about your pets being able to get out, as they will still be able to push the flap open.”
You can find these on Amazon for under £15.
Chimneys
If there’s a chimney in your home that you no longer use, it makes sense to find a way to plug this, according to Mike.
“You can purchase draught excluders for your flue costing as little as £30,” he said.
“The Energy Saving Trust estimates that by installing one, you can save around £65 a year on your energy bills – so you will soon recoup the cost.”
There are various different options, such as the inflatable ‘Chimney Balloon,’ available on Amazon from £12.50, and the Chimney Sheep, with prices starting from £18 for a ‘small’ version, from £30 for a ‘medium,’ and from £45 for a ‘large.’
Mike added: “You can get a customised excluder fitted specifically for your fireplace, but one of these will come at a higher price.”
Gaps in floorboards
If you don’t have carpet, it could be the case that you’re losing a lot of heat through the gaps in your floorboards.
“Think about adding rugs to your living space, bedrooms and hallways,” said Mike.
“These are a great way to stop draughts, as they help to insulate your floor and prevent heat loss.”
When it comes to choosing rugs for insulation purposes, Mike recommends ones made of wool.
He said: “With wool’s natural density and thermal properties, you’ll find your floors and rooms are kept warmer.”
Dunelm has some great options from around £30.
Other draught-prone areas
In addition to those listed above, other lesser-known heat loss hotspots in your home include electrical outlets, vents and attic hatches or access points.
Mike said: “If you are unsure what areas are letting in the most draught, you can take a quick DIY test.”
First, close all windows and doors, and turn off appliances in your home that can cause a disturbance in the air.
“Then light a candle or stick of incense and hold it up to where you suspect there may be cold air coming in,” said the DIY pro.
“If there’s a draught, the smoke will move towards that area.”
This test will help you work out which areas you need to prioritise when it comes to your draught-proofing.
Another way of carrying out this test is by using toilet paper to identify where cold air is coming in. Read more here.
What else can I do?
Add thermal liners to curtains – these help keep the heat in your rooms for longer
Put cushion-weighted draught excluders at the bottom of internal doors. Save money by fashioning your own by filling one leg of a pair of tights with stuffing, and sewing the end closed
Apply weather strips to windows – the foam helps to prevent the movement of air from the outside
Stretch cling film or bubble wrap over the inside of windows to trap air and stop draughts
More ways to heat your home efficiently
As well as taking steps to block draughts from coming into your property, Mike says there are a host of simple ways to help keep heat in, without bumping up your energy bills.
Moving furniture away from walls and doors
One easy way to boost energy efficiency which won’t cost you a penny is by rearranging your rooms.
“You’ll find that in the colder months, the first places to attract cold air will be your windows and external walls,” said Mike. “If you have a sofa or other item of furniture close to these, try moving them away to create a barrier for cold air.”
Keeping radiators clear
A similar trick also works when it comes to your radiators.
Mike said: “If you have furniture blocking these units, you block heat from travelling around the space. Re-shuffling items in your room can be a great way to keep heat in.”
Fitting radiator foil
Another useful tip involves you fitting reflector foil. This goes around your radiators so heat gets reflected back into your room, as opposed to disappearing through the wall.
At Screwfix, you can get a roll of radiator foil for less than £8.
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While you’re paying your radiators some attention, don’t forget to bleed them to get rid of any trapped air. This will mean they are working as efficiently as possible.
Getting a jacket for your hot water cylinder
Make sure your water cylinder is insulated with a jacket, as this will ensure the water you’ve heated stays hot. The Energy Saving Trust recommends a thickness of at least 80mm. It estimates this simple move could save Brits £45 per year. You can find jackets on eBay from £12.
This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk
