Millions of households across the UK are facing a costly winter after the energy regulator Ofgem implemented a 2% increase to its price cap on 1st October. This rise has pushed already high energy bills even further, leaving many searching for effective ways to reduce their spending.
The Simple Fix for Heat Loss
In response, major energy suppliers are highlighting a surprisingly straightforward method to combat rising costs: draught-proofing. Both EDF Energy and Octopus Energy are urging customers to locate and seal gaps where warm air escapes, such as around doors, windows, and even chimneys.
EDF Energy states that this "simple investment" can lead to substantial savings. The company explains in an online guide that by blocking these gaps, you prevent heat loss and help your home retain warmth for longer. They highlight that draught-proofing a chimney alone could save around £60 per year.
How to Find and Fix Draughts Yourself
Octopus Energy echoes this advice, warning that a continuous draught can quickly undermine your heating efforts, essentially wasting energy and money. The company suggests that identifying and plugging these leaks can make your gas spend more effective.
While professional draught-proofing can run into hundreds of pounds, Octopus promotes a DIY approach. You can often find draughts by feeling for cold air with the back of your hand. For a more advanced method, thermal cameras are extremely effective, as they visually display heat loss by showing warm areas in red and cold spots in blue.
Octopus Energy estimates that taking these steps can lead to an average saving of £80 per year. They even recommend creating your own draught excluders for free using old fabric scraps.
Accessing Tools and Further Help
For those interested in using a thermal camera, there are several accessible options. According to consumer champion Which?, many local councils offer them for free. Additionally, the London Library of Things rents them out for just £15 per day.
Octopus Energy has also run a scheme lending cameras to its customers, which has already helped nearly 5,000 households practically identify how to save heat. The company has stated that this initiative is currently paused until 2026, with priority for loans being given to those who need it most this winter.
For households with more flexible budgets, a professional thermal survey is another option, costing approximately £300 for smaller homes and £750 for larger properties.
With energy bills remaining at record highs, these simple measures offer a practical way for Brits to regain some control over their winter expenses while also reducing their environmental impact. More energy-saving tips can be found on both the EDF Energy and Octopus Energy websites.
