A home that lets out heat easily can be a nightmare to live in, particularly during the winter months. Nobody wants to have to choose between keeping the heating on constantly, which can be extortionate, and braving the bitter cold.
Thankfully, there are some ways to plug up draughts and reduce heat loss. However, to effectively do so homeowners must first identify the source of escaping heat in their property, which can vary depending on the household.
As reported by the Express, there are certain parts of your home which deserve more attention than others as well as ways to tackle heat loss which can last for 'decades'.
Experts at Northern Energy said: "Many people believe that heat only ever flows upwards. This is not the case. Heat is actually capable of flowing in any direction.
"This means that any part of your home that is not properly insulated will allow for heat loss. We call this process heat loss, and it results in higher fuel bills for many thousands of UK home owners every year.
"Well insulated homes almost always pay less for fuel. To effectively insulate your home, you must address all the main sources of heat loss."
The main sources of heat loss consist of the roof, walls, and floor.
Roof
According to the specialists at GOS Energy Heating, "the best course of action" to improve your home’s energy efficiency is to install loft insulation.
They said: "It’s affordable and easy to install, and the payback from doing so will take no more than two years on average.
"Loft insulation remains effective for 40 years. So, whether you’re there for the long run or looking to sell, the value of your home increases after installation."
Walls
The type of walls in your house depends on when it was built, and the amount of heat loss it allows depends on which kind it is. Generally, homes built after 1930 have cavity walls. Anything made before this time usually has solid walls.
The experts said that cavity walls are "simple to insulate" as the cavities are filled with insulating materials which quickly get the job done and slow the transfer of heat to the outside of the house.
However, when it comes to solid walls they are "slightly more complicated to insulate". They explained: "The lack of a cavity means either internal or external insulation must take place, which can be costly.
"Fortunately, there are grants available to help cover the cost of solid wall insulation. Wall insulation is something worth doing if you want to use less energy and save money."
Floors
The amount of heat lost through your floor will depend on the age and the construction of your home.
In older houses with cellars and stone foundations, the floor can account for up to 10 percent of heat loss, according to the experts.
Much like with your home’s walls, there are two types of floor - solid floors and suspended timber - which will determine your installation method.
Windows and doors
While draughts are more noticeable when they are coming through windows and doors, these points of entry actually "account for very little" of the overall surface area of your home’s exterior, noted the energy experts and Mother Energy.
They said: "As most of this surface area is taken up by the walls and the roof, it is here that most of the heat is lost."
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