One of the most cost-effective ways to make a home warmer and cheaper to heat is not expensive insulation or a new heating system. It is learning how to draught-proof your home. Uncontrolled air leaks can account for up to 25 percent of total heat loss, and sealing them is cheap, fast, and well within any homeowner's ability.
What Is a Draught and Why Does It Matter?
A draught is uncontrolled air movement through gaps and cracks in a building. In winter, draughts let warm air escape and cold air in, forcing your heating to work harder. Sealing them improves comfort immediately and reduces energy bills, with most of the work costing very little.
How to Find Draughts in Your Home
On a windy day, hold a lit incense stick near suspected gaps and watch the smoke. If it streams sideways or flickers sharply, you have found a draught. Common culprits include the gaps around door and window frames, the base of external doors, skirting boards in older homes, pipe penetrations, power outlets on external walls, ceiling hatches, and unused fireplaces.
Sealing Doors
The gap under an external door is often the single biggest source of draught. A door sweep or bottom seal fits to the base of the door and seals against the threshold, and it takes about 20 minutes to install. For the gaps around the door frame, apply self-adhesive foam or rubber draught-excluder strips.
Sealing Windows
For gaps where window frames meet the wall, apply a flexible, paintable sealant. For the gap between a sliding sash and its frame, a brush-pile draught strip seals the gap without making the window hard to open. For larger gaps in older windows, an expanding foam filler trimmed and painted over works well.
Sealing Skirting Boards and Floors
In older homes with suspended floors, the junction between skirting boards and the floor can let in cold air from below. Run a bead of flexible filler along this junction and smooth it with a wet finger. Seal the gap between skirting and wall the same way.
Sealing Ceiling Hatches and Fireplaces
A poorly sealed ceiling hatch lets warm air escape into the roof space. A foam seal around the hatch frame costs very little and makes a real difference. An unused open fireplace acts like a chimney, drawing warm air out; a removable chimney balloon or a damper plate stops this while still allowing you to use the fireplace later.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can draught-proofing save on heating bills?
Because draughts can cause up to a quarter of a home's heat loss, sealing them effectively can reduce heating costs noticeably, often by 10 to 20 percent in a draughty older home.
Is draught-proofing a job I can do myself?
Yes. Almost all draught-proofing uses simple, inexpensive materials and basic tools. Most of the work can be done in a weekend with no specialist skills.
Can a home be too airtight?
Homes need some ventilation for air quality and to prevent condensation. Draught-proofing targets uncontrolled leaks, not deliberate ventilation. Keep extractor fans and trickle vents working, and you will not over-seal the home.
What is the cheapest draught-proofing fix with the biggest impact?
Sealing the gap under external doors with a door sweep is usually the cheapest fix with the largest single impact, since that gap is often the biggest leak in the house.
For more on cutting home running costs, read our guide on whether smart thermostats actually save money.
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