Outside (EE)

Using draught excluders can be a useful way of minimising heat loss from your home: they stop cold air getting in and warm air escaping by sealing gaps around or at the bottom of your door. There are a number of different types: brush strips (usually fitted at the bottom of external doors); rubber or silicone seals (usually fitted around the sides and tops of external doors to create a tight seal); and fabric or sausage excluders (moveable, stuffed fabric strips laid at the bottom of doors). Cold air can also get into the home through gaps in letter boxes and through keyholes: specially designed covers can be bought to block draughts from letter boxes and keyholes. Curtains can also be fitted to cover the whole door and minimise draughts.

Draught proofing is used on external doors: internal doors should not be draught proofed, as it is important to allow air to circulate in the home.

Free The cheapest and most effective draught excluder for large gaps underneath doors which are causing draughts - an old towel. These can easily be stuffed into gaps, and though they may not look as nice as a sand filled draught excluder, they may perform just as well at a fraction of the cost.

£ Foam, brush or wiper strips, letter box and keyhole covers, and sausage or fabric excluders can be bought at relatively low cost.

££ Door curtains, depending on the size, thickness and whether they need fitting by a professional, may cost a little more to install.

Find other information on saving energy in the Top tips section.