UK households are being urged to use a piece of A4 paper before turning on their heating this year, as energy bills have already risen by 4% this month and further increases are expected.
The advice comes from builders' merchants and home improvement superstores Travis Perkins, who say a simple paper check can help identify where properties may be losing heat before the colder months arrive.
How the paper test works
Small gaps, compressed insulation and inefficient heating systems can all make it harder for a home to retain warmth, potentially meaning more energy is needed to keep rooms comfortable throughout winter.
To sleuth out window gaps, Travis Perkins says: "A window may appear to close correctly while still having a worn, compressed or poorly fitting seal.
"One simple check is to place a strip of paper between an opening window and its frame before closing and locking it. If the paper pulls out with very little resistance, the seal may not be making firm contact in that area. Repeat the check at several points around the frame."
Cost of repairs
Some areas of heat loss may be relatively inexpensive to address. Estimates suggest that professionally draught proofing a standard window costs around £50. However, costs will vary depending on whether the window needs a new seal, an adjustment or a more substantial repair.
Kaitlin Wood, Senior Category Manager for Bathrooms, Plumbing, Heating and Renewables at Travis Perkins Plc, explained: "Homeowners often focus on their boiler or thermostat when preparing for winter, but heat can also escape through small gaps and poorly insulated areas around the property.
"The test cannot diagnose the cause of a draught, but it can identify an area that needs closer inspection. Moving curtains, rattling windows, whistling noises and visible gaps are other potential signs.
"The Energy Saving Trust recommends using appropriately sized draught-proofing strips around opening windows. However, the correct repair will depend on whether the problem is a worn seal, a misaligned window, damaged hinges or a gap around the outer frame."
Expert advice on next steps
Rob Haddock, Senior Group Commercial Category Manager at Travis Perkins, added: "The paper check can help homeowners identify where a seal may be weaker, but it does not reveal why the gap has developed.
"A joiner or window fitter can establish whether the window needs a replacement seal, an adjustment or a more substantial repair, helping homeowners avoid applying a product that is unsuitable for the window."
