As winter approaches and Ofgem raises the price cap, a Victorian-era heating hack can help keep homes warm and reduce energy bills, according to specialist insurance broker Adrian Flux, which focuses on Victorian properties.
Draft-proofing is key
The broker notes that many Victorian homes, particularly those with original features like single-glazed sash windows and hardwood floorboards, are prone to draughts. It advises that the best heating hacks centre on draft-proofing the property as thoroughly as possible.
Adrian Flux states: “In winter, this can mean your home has a dreadful chill, so the best heating hacks are around draft-proofing your property as best you can.”
“It is estimated that up to 40% of your home’s heat is lost through doors, windows and the floor so these are clearly the first areas you need to take a look at when thinking about heating hacks.”
Victorian-era solutions that still work
Full-length curtains at exterior doors, known in the Victorian era as a portière, are a throwback that remains effective today, hung over a doorway to block draughts.
Adrian Flux recommends the following hacks to trap heat:
- Draft excluders at exterior doors
- Draft-excluding covers for openings such as letterboxes and keyholes
- Heavier curtains at windows
- Full-length curtains at exterior doors
Further insulation and price cap rise
The broker adds: “Around 35% of heat loss is through the walls and 25% is lost through the roof, so consider loft and cavity wall insulation too. This generally doesn’t come cheap but it will soon pay for itself and you may even qualify for a grant to help cover the cost of the work and materials.”
This comes as Ofgem hikes the price cap again on October 1 by an average of 4%. Current estimates suggest the cap could rise by as much as 25% in January, just in time for the coldest period of the year after Christmas.
