How to deal with draughty homes

Draughty houses are an unfortunate reality for many New Zealand houses. An easy test is to hold a lit candle next to windows and door frames on a windy day.

If the flame flickers, there could be draughts and you may be struggling with heat loss which costs you money and comfort.

Whether you rent or own, there are some cheap and easy measures you can take to make sure your hard-earned money doesn’t fly out through your electrical sockets.

If you rent, be sure to run any handiwork past your landlord first, just in case.

Make sure you draught strip every window and external door.

Different sized gaps need different sized draught stripping.

Measure and buy the right size or you might end up not being able to close your door properly.

V-seal style draught stripping is great for very tight gaps and install door brushes or weather sealers for external doors.

Gaps in floorboards and skirtingboards can be filled with a silicon-based flexible sealant.

If you have a fireplace, make sure to secure a tight seal between your chimney and ceiling with a non-combustible sealant available at most hardware stores.

If you don’t use the fireplace, block off your chimney by filling a plastic bag with fabric or newspaper and stuffing it up the chimney.

Ensure it is tightly fitted or else you’ll be chasing newspapers up and down the street every time there is a gust!

Be sure to check behind your electrical sockets and plumbing passages and use foam or silicon to fill unwanted gaps in the walls.

Often vermin can get into your home through the sneaky passages behind your dishwasher or other appliances, so blocking these passages provides several benefits.

Exchanging existing downlights for LED downlights that can be covered with insulation material can be expensive, depending on how many you have, but is entirely worth doing especially if you own your home.

See the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority energywise website for more tips on how to draught-proof your home.

Sustainability Trust provides impartial energy assessments.