With winter biting hard, here’s good advice to beat the big chill and save on bills ...
Cheap and easy draught proofing
Draughts in the home are a drain on your heating bills, contributing to up to 20% of heat loss in the home. The good news is that draught proofing is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to heat proof your home and save around £60 a year on energy bills. Some of the key areas to look at include:
Chimneys
Unless you have a working real fire, chimneys should be draught proofed to prevent heat loss. Chimney balloons are a simple and cost effective way of doing this, and you could save around £15 a year.
Letterboxes and keyholes
Letterboxes can be a problem in winter as heavy winds can make them rattle and let in cold air. There are products that offer solutions such as the eco flap. Keyhole covers will help eliminate draughts from your keyhole and cost under £10. Or use masking tape for a budget option.
Doors and windows
Plug any gaps around doors and windows with a sealant. You’ll find different types at your local DIY shop, from silicon gels to self-adhesive strips. The staff at the DIY shop should be able to advise what’s best for your home. This can save around £25 a year.
Pipes and cables
Seal any cracks around pipes and cables that feed through external walls or the ceiling. Try filling gaps with cement or insulation and cover with an interior decorating filler to finish.
Floors and skirting
Blocking the gaps around the edges of the ground floor or in between your floor boards can save you about £20 a year. Use a DIY sealant, strips of insulation or newspaper between the floorboard gaps.
