Draught-proofing
Draught-proofing is a practical and cost-effective way to improve your home’s comfort while reducing energy waste and emissions. Here are some tips for addressing common sources of draughts:
Gaps between or around floorboards: Fill these gaps with flexible filler or sealant. For larger gaps, you may need to use draught excluders or strips.
Around windows and doors: Install draught-proofing strips or seals around the edges of windows and doors to prevent cold air from entering. To block gaps, you can also use draught excluders at the bottom of doors.
Through the letterbox: Install a letterbox draught excluder or cover to stop cold air from entering through the letterbox opening.
Where pipework comes through external walls: Seal around pipework with filler or sealant to prevent draughts.
Around the loft hatch: Install a draught-proofing strip around the edges of the loft hatch and a solid foam block on the door to prevent warm air from escaping into the loft.
Never block boiler flues, air bricks, or window trickle vents and avoid over-draught-proofing windows in kitchens and bathrooms where the moist air needs to escape and where there is no mechanical ventilation like an extractor fan.
By addressing these common sources of draughts, you can significantly improve the comfort of your home and reduce your heating bills. Plus, you’ll be doing your part to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by using energy more efficiently.
Links
How to make a draft excluder
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