Addressing common heat loss points like windows, doors, and skirtings can help keep your home warmer longer
Millions of people are facing heightened energy costs this winter after Ofgem’s price cap increased by 2% from October 1. But EDF Energy claims there are several things you can do to cut your bills, including one that could save an average of £60 per year.
Although it may seem obvious, this solution involves identifying and sealing draughts around your home, including doors, windows, and chimneys, to prevent heat from escaping. Overlooking these areas may just be the reason you constantly find yourself turning up the heating.
In an online guide on ‘simple investments to help save money’, EDF Energy has explained: “Block gaps where heat escapes and cold air gets in; you’ll prevent heat loss and keep your home warm. There are a number of places where you can prevent draughts. Draught-proofing your chimney alone could save you around £60 a year.”
EDF Energy certainly isn’t alone in advocating this either. Octopus Energy has also similarly advised that even creating your own draught excluders to stop heat loss could save you a great deal of cash.
Octopus Energy’s online guidance has added: “A continuous draught can quickly undo all the good work of your heating – essentially wasting energy. Identifying and plugging up draughts around doors, windows and other gaps can help trap warmth in and make your gas spend go further.
“…Professional draught-proofing can cost a few hundred pounds. You can also find draughts yourself using the back of your hand, or with a thermal camera and make your own excluders for free using old fabric scraps. Average saving: £80 per year.”
Thermal cameras are especially useful for detecting heat loss in homes, as they function by measuring surface temperatures. With these cameras, viewers can see the warmest areas in red and the coldest in blue.
Addressing common heat loss points like windows, doors, and skirtings can help keep your home warmer longer, reducing the need to increase the heating.
If you’re interested in using a thermal camera, many local councils provide them free of charge, while the London Library of Things rents them for as little as £15 per day, according to Which?. Numerous Octopus Energy customers can utilise these cameras too, though its scheme is currently suspended for winter.
Further advice from Octopus Energy has explained: “We genuinely want to help our customers be more energy efficient. It’s simply the right thing to do, not only because it keeps your bills low, but because it’s better for the environment as well.
“We’ve sent our cameras out to nearly 5,000 customers over the last few years, and we’re absolutely honoured that so many customers have told us that the camera loan has helped them practically identify how to save heat in their home.
“Right now, saving gas is more important than ever, with millions of UK households left struggling to pay record-high energy bills. For Winter 2025, we’ve prioritised camera loans for those who need it most.”
Those with flexible budgets can opt for a professional thermal survey, costing about £300 for smaller homes and £750 for larger ones. Which? recommends using its Home Energy Planning Service to identify the best options for each person’s situation.
You can also find more energy-saving tips on both EDF Energy and Octopus Energy’s websites.
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