Cut household heat loss 'by 30 percent' this winter using a simple £3 item

We are all watching the pennies when it comes to energy bills. Especially as the winter fuel cap is set to increase from next month.

While Brits are looking for new ways to cut down their heating bill without losing the heat in their home. The experts at Hiatt Hardware have shared four practical tips to help you draught-proof your home.

Even more so efficiently and affordably, ensuring that you stay comfortable as we head towards autumn. Let's take a look at the simple methods which we can follow to keep our home insulated.

Why does draught-proofing matter?

Around 30 percent of household heat is lost through draughts in doors and windows. Draughts leak cold air into your home leading to warm air escaping.

This then forces your heating system to work harder, raising your energy bills and increasing carbon emissions; making draught-proofing a crucial step as the colder months approach.

Insulate windows:

Windows are often the biggest culprits for letting in cold air. To identify draughts, run your hand around the window frame or use a lighter to detect airflow. If the flame flickers, you've found a draught.

If you identify your home's windows as a problem area, you can address the problem affordably. Self-adhesive weather strips are cheap to buy, costing as low as £2.94 from Hiatt or £6 from Dunelm.

The simple rubber-based design helps to prevent the movement of air from the outside.

These strips can be cut to different lengths to accommodate your window size but you must choose the correct width.

If the width of the insulation strip is too wide, it can prevent your window from shutting correctly, only causing the problem to worsen. Similarly, if the strip is too thin, it won't keep draughts out and therefore won't improve your energy efficiency.

For windows that you are not planning to open or that are naturally non-opening, you can insulate them with silicone sealant or apply window film, which is shrunk into place with a hair dryer.

But, be cautious to allow for fresh air circulation by giving a timed period to let the outdoor air in to reduce the risk of condensation build-up leading to mould growth. Opening a front or back door for 10 minutes daily should do the trick.

Seal the doors:

External doors are one of the most common areas where cold air can enter your home. To tackle this, start by applying self-adhesive draught-proofing strips around the edges of the door, just as you would with windows.

When tackling the gap at the bottom of your door, you can install a door brush or door seal to prevent any unwanted air from getting inside. Draught excluders are also a great, cost-effective option that can reduce heat loss by up to 30 percent.

Cover your letterbox:

An often-overlooked source of draughts is the letterbox. If your letterbox is slightly aged and has become damaged as a result - you can also expect some repetitive and irritating flapping throughout the day and night.

Installing a new letter plate with a dedicated flap or brush can prevent heat from escaping and reduce the unwanted extra noise.

Cover gaps in the flooring:

Skirting boards and floorboards can expand and contract with temperature changes, leading to gaps that let in cold air.

To keep the cold air out, we recommend applying hard-setting fillers that are also flexible enough to tolerate movement such as mastic sealant or decorator's caulk.

The beauty of these fillers is that they don't have to clash with your decor, they come in a variety of colours and the decorator's caulk can be stained to match your interiors.