Live Direct Debit rates for UK average since 1 October 2026.
How much can it save?
The Energy Saving Trust estimates that draught-proofing windows and doors could save around £30 a year in a typical gas-heated semi-detached home, plus around £20 a year more by blocking an unused chimney. Those figures were worked out at 2021 prices, so treat them as a rough guide.
It also makes rooms feel warmer, so you may be comfortable with the thermostat a degree lower, which saves more.
Where to look first
| Where | Simple fix |
|---|---|
| Windows that open | Self-adhesive foam strip, or longer-lasting brush or rubber strip |
| Windows that don't open | Clear silicone sealant around the frame |
| Front and back doors | Brush or rubber strip around the edge, bottom draught excluder |
| Letterbox and keyhole | Letterbox brush or flap, keyhole cover |
| Gaps in floorboards and skirting | Flexible filler or sealant |
| Unused chimney | Chimney draught excluder or balloon (remove before lighting a fire) |
| Loft hatch | Strip around the edge |
Find draughts
On a windy day, hold the back of your hand near window edges, doors, skirting boards and loft hatches. If you feel cold air, that's a draught.
Don't block ventilation
Some air flow is needed to stop damp and mould, and to keep gas appliances safe. Don't block air bricks, trickle vents in windows, extractor fans or any vents near a boiler, gas fire or open fire. In kitchens and bathrooms, ventilation matters most.
Next: turn your boiler's flow temperature down, another free saving.
Sources: Energy Saving Trust, Ofgem typical consumption values, Octopus Energy tariff data.