As someone who writes about energy conservation for a living, I think I’m pretty good at practicing what I preach. But when life gets busy, it’s all too easy for taking steps to reduce my energy bill to get pushed to the front of the to-do list.
When I corrected Energy-wasting decor mistakes I’ve been making for years, I know there’s always more I can do Save energy at home.
And there’s one thing I’ve been putting off for ages, and I’m horrified to find that over the course of a year, it’s costing me £100 of wasted energy. One thing? Draft proofing.
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How much can I save by draft proofing my home?
(Image credit: Future plc/Colin Poole)
According to Energy Saving TrustDraft proofing of doors, windows and surrounds floor This can save around £85 a year on energy bills, while draft-proofing an open chimney (when the fire is not in use, of course) can save an extra £60.
Addressing drafts can also mean your home is more comfortable at lower temperatures, so you could save around £90 a year by turning the thermostat down just one degree.
All of that costs a total of £235 a year on wasted energy.
I’m lucky that my floors and windows aren’t really a problem, but I’ve definitely noticed gaps around my front door (near where my thermostat is) that can contribute to higher-than-necessary energy bills in the winter. While I don’t have a traditional chimney, my enclosed fireplace has a flue that whistles on a windy day, suggesting a draft.
And the good news is that in my case, solving these problems is easy and cheap. I’ll need some Draft excluder tape for around doors (£5.99 from Amazon) And A Magnetic Fireplace Draft Blocker (£11.63, Amazon).
However, older houses with more significant problems with drafts may require more extensive draft proofing with the help of a professional. It’s also important not to draft-proof to the point of negatively impacting effective ventilation, which is key to a healthy home and humidity control.
For me, now seems like the ideal time to tackle these issues. While many people wait until winter to address their draftproofing needs to keep the heat in, I want to tackle it now to help keep the heat out in the summer. Every little bit will help reduce the need to resort to energy-starvation Air conditioning!
Huilaimi
5.5 m draft excluder for doors and windows
This gray thermal insulation tape is similar to what I already have around my front door, but parts of it are starting to fail after 10 years, so it’s worth replacing to prevent drafts.
common
Fireplace draft blocker
This might not look the most attractive, but I like the fact that it’s easy to install and remove as I please.
Chimney sheep
6 x 16 inch oblong chimney draft excluder
If you have a suitable chimney, something like a chimney flue may be a more effective option. Just make sure you remove the fire before you use it again in the winter.
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