Experts have shared the biggest areas for heat loss in homes - as well as ways to keep your home insulated and cosy through the cold months.
With winter now upon us many households will be wrapping up to fight off the bitter cold, but it's now getting to that point where using the heating is a must.
So, it is important to make sure that you're getting the most out of your heating, so it isn't escaping away thanks to shoddy insulation.
This is especially the case due to rising energy bills. Wasted heat will cost more than ever this winter as households are paying £2,500 on average on their gas and electricity.
Insulation can be a hefty investment, but if you have the money, it's worthwhile. As reported by the Mirror, a huge amount of heat can escape from even the tiniest gaps in your home.
According to energy saving advice community The Greenage, it is estimated that roughly 25 percent of the heat from your boiler will escape through the roof.
Around 10 percent will escape through the floor. However a larger 35 percent of heat will escape through gaps in windows, doors and walls.
The experts at Liveoak Agency agree that walls, windows and doors are the biggest areas for heat loss in your home.
They said: "The biggest area for heat loss in most homes are drafts within the walls, windows and doors. It's typical for these spots to be less noticeable than you’d think they would be.
"Just a single 1/8 inch gap under a standard 36-inch wide door will leak just as much cold heat out as an almost 2.5 inch hole through a wall."
To avoid the heat escaping, they advise sealing cracks with caulk, filler or foam.
You may also wish to install weatherstripping around any parts of your doors and windows that move.
For larger cracks, the experts advised: "You will need to use insulation foam to seal it effectively. Also be aware that weather-stripping will eventually wear out over a few years, so sealing drafts and replacing older weather-stripping can help keep heat in the house where it belongs."
Experts say taking these steps will guarantee homeowners a return on their investment “in a year or less”.
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