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Draught-Proofing: cost, savings and EPC impact

Draught-proofing is one of the cheapest ways to make a home feel warmer. Gaps round doors, windows, floorboards and the loft hatch let cold air in and warm air out.

IndicativeFigures on this page are indicative ranges for a typical UK home. They are not a quote, a survey or an EPC. Your home will differ.

What it is

Strips, brushes and seals are fitted round openings, and gaps in floors, skirting and pipework are filled. Some jobs are simple enough to do yourself.

Homes still need fresh air. Open chimneys, trickle vents, extractor fans and flues must stay clear, so draught-proofing should target unwanted gaps and not deliberate ventilation.

Indicative cost, savings and EPC effect

Cheap and quick. Done properly it keeps vents and ventilation working.

Prices vary a lot by home. See the Energy Saving Trust’s retrofit guide for general background.

Draught-proofing is a small contributor to an EPC and often counts for little or nothing in the formal score, but it can make a real difference to comfort. See how EPC ratings work. Savings from several upgrades do not simply add up.

Is it right for your home?

• Older homes with timber windows and doors, suspended timber floors or a loft hatch that does not seal.
• Any home with an open chimney or gas appliance should be checked by a professional before major air-sealing.

What affects the price

• Number of doors, windows and rooms
• Whether floors need lifting
• Whether you do the simple jobs yourself

Questions to ask any installer

• Which gaps are you sealing, and which ventilation will you leave alone?
• If a gas fire, open flue or wood burner is present, how will you make sure it still has the air it needs?

Always get a proper survey and written quote. We introduce you to one vetted firm to do that, and explain why only one.

Related upgrades

• Loft Insulation
• LED Lighting
• Smart Thermostats and Heating Controls