Draught proofing is the process of filling in unnecessary gaps in a building to reduce heat loss and discomfort caused by draughts. New houses have to meet certain standards with regards to draught proofing but if you have an older home it is worth looking into as a cost saving measure. Draught proofing is a very cheap way of reducing heat loss in the home and will save you money on your fuel bills.
20% of all heat loss is through ventilation and draughts but this is easy to fix. Windows, doors and letter boxes are the main locations for draught proofing and you may also wish to fill in gaps caused by plumbing or in floorboards and skirting boards. There are a number of products available including brushes, foams, sealants, strips and shaped plastic and rubber, which can usually be bought from your local DIY store. Look for the BS 7386 standard on any products you buy. Curtains to doors and windows also help to prevent draughts as do ‘snakes’ across the bottom of a door (available in all sorts of shapes and sizes)! Draught proofing a typical three bedroom semi-detached house will cost approximately £50 if you do it yourself, but you could see savings of about £20 on your annual fuel bill.
If you have old windows which are draughty, consider getting double or secondary glazing as this will have a massive impact on the amount of heat lost in this way.
It is important to note that ventilation is as important as draught proofing as inadequate ventilation can cause health issues. Do not draught proof windows in bathrooms and kitchens and consider fitting an extractor fan to get rid of the moist air in those rooms. Don’t draught proof internal doors of rooms which house gas or solid fuel-burning appliances and do not block air bricks.
For more information on draught proofing and the possible availability of grants, visit www.est.org.uk
