My door was the biggest source of heat loss, a £5 B&M purchase made a huge difference
IF you’ve noticed drafts in your home this winter, a budget purchase can help retain the heat.
One homeowner sought help for the problem he was experiencing in his home.
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In a message on the Facebook group DIY on a budget, UKa user shared the dilemma he had with drafts in the house during winter.
They explained that their exterior door made their space feel significantly colder.
“This window is single glazed and is the largest source of heat loss in my living room,” they wrote.
The homeowner revealed that replacing the door was not an option at this time.
Read more about home heating tips
They then asked their fellow Facebook users for their suggestions on how to “minimize heat loss this winter.”
According to the experts at Stay warm EnergyExterior doors are responsible for approximately 25% to 30% of heat loss in the home.
They explained that this statistic can be even higher in poorly insulated homes.
Single glazing can cause a heat loss of 70% in the household, while double glazing is only responsible for 10%.
British doors reported on the shocking figures, explaining that the dated feature could lead to higher household bills and a larger carbon footprint.
Facebook users shared what has worked to prevent drafty doors in their homes.
“I got a thermal door curtain from B&M and a tension post so I didn’t have to drill into the walls,” one reader suggested.
The Thermal velvet panel is currently available at a 50% discount and will cost you just €5.
It is available in several colors including Blush, Black, Charcoal, Gray and Stone.
The dimensions are 54 inches by 86 inches.
According to the experts at The Mill Shopthermal curtains can reduce heat loss by 25%, making it the perfect counterpart to a drafty door.
5 ways to keep your house warm in winter
Real estate expert Joshua Houston shared his tips.
1. Curtains
“Windows are a common place for the cold from outside to enter your home, this is due to small openings that can let air in, so always close your curtains as soon as it gets dark,” he said.
This simple method gives you an extra layer of warmth because it can provide a kind of “insulation” between your window and curtain.
2. Rugs
“Your floor is another part of your home where heat can be lost and make your home feel cold,” he continued. “On cold days you may notice that your floor is not pleasant to walk on because your feet are freezing.
“Add rugs to areas that don’t already have carpet. This will provide a layer of insulation between your bare floor and the room above.”
3. Check your insulation
Check your pipes, attic space, crawl spaces and under floorboards.
“Loose insulation is great for this, and it is a more affordable form of insulation, with a large bag being picked up for around £30,” explains Joshua.
4. Keep your interior doors closed
“Household members often congregate in one room in the evening, which is usually the kitchen or living room,” says Joshua.
“This means you only need to heat a small part of your home and closing the doors keeps the heat in and the cold out.”
5. Block drafts
Don’t forget to check cat flaps, chimneys and mailboxes as these can let in cold air if they are not properly secured.
Meanwhile, simply closing curtains at night can reduce heat loss in your home by 15%.
Other Facebook users also shared their love for thermal curtains.
“I can put up a thermal curtain, I had to do the same,” one person advised.
“I agree, thermal curtain. Ikea makes very reasonably priced single curtains for that purpose,” another commenter wrote.
“You could put up a thermal lined curtain because when the door opens it wouldn’t catch if it was an inward opening door,” one reader commented.
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