Energy bills can be reduced by identifying where a home is losing heat. Simple checks, from finding draughts to using a thermal leak detector, can help homeowners start addressing the problem cost-effectively.
Draughts and window issues
On a breezy day, with the house heated to its usual temperature, a candle or smoke pen (around £20) can reveal cold draughts around windows, doors and loft hatches. Alternatively, a thermal leak detector flashes blue for cold, green for normal and red for warm.
Misting or water trapped between double-glazing panes can point to a failed sealed unit, according to Antony Heath, marketing and development director at Glevum Windows. Once the seal is broken, the window may no longer insulate as effectively.
Condensation and heating inefficiency
Condensation on the inside of windows, particularly in the morning, can indicate cold surfaces where heat is escaping, says Oliver Novakovic, technical and innovation director at Barratt Redrow. Causes include poor ventilation, and older single-glazed windows allow more heat loss, worsening the issue.
If a home struggles to maintain a comfortable temperature, it may be losing heat through walls, floors or the roof. Uneven room temperatures can signal radiators not working or heat escaping faster in some areas. Novakovic notes that better insulation and airtightness reduce the energy needed to keep a home comfortable.
Roof heat loss
Snow melting quickly on a roof while nearby properties remain blanketed—or a roof being a hotspot for birds—can indicate escaping heat. An older or uninsulated home can lose 25% of its heat through the roof.
