Draught proofing

Draught proofing is a cheap and very cost effective way to reduce your heating bills. If you don’t have double or secondary glazing, your home is probably losing up to 20% of its heat through gaps in your doors and windows. They are easy to fit and a good DIY store will be able to advise you on which products are suitable for your home.

Windows

If your window frames need replacing, installing double glazing in your home could reduce heat loss from your home by 5% and add value to your property. Look for wood framed units carrying FSC certification. If your windows are in good condition, fitting secondary glazing is a good idea; it’s less expensive than replacement double glazing and will save you around £30 a year in heating bills.

Replacement glazing is now controlled by the Government. Either the installer must be a registered FENSA Installer (Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme) or a Building Regulations application is required. All replacement glazing must be ‘low E’ coated to achieve a 2.0w/m²k ‘U’ value, minimum BFRC standard of Band E. (This does not generally apply to listed buildings and Buildings in Conservation Areas).

The Building Control Section is responsible for administering the Building Regulations.

Ventilation

This is just as important as draught proofing. Without it, your house will become stale and stuffy and you risk developing damp and mould problems.

Remember: Ventilation is essential if you have solid fuel fires, gas fires or a boiler with an open flue. An extractor fan in your kitchen and bathroom is a good idea and can be activated with the light switch or via a moisture detector. Keep the door closed when bathing or cooking to stop the moist air travelling around your home.

Floors

Ground floor rooms with suspended timber floors can sometimes feel cold due to draughts rising up from gaps between the floorboards or between the skirting board and floor. Carpets and other flooring which sit over floorboards will cut down on these draughts. The gaps can also be filled using sealant or by packing the gaps with paper. This will save you around £10 a year in heating bills.

Another way of reducing draughty floors is to insulate underneath the floorboards on the ground floor. If you are taking the floorboards up (e.g. for wiring, plumbing or structural works) this is an ideal time to fit underfloor insulation. As well as making the room feel warmer, it will save you up to £25 a year.

Remember not to block any underfloor airbricks in your outside walls - without adequate ventilation, floorboards will rot.