Air leakage and draughts

Draughts and air leakage can increase your heating costs by more than 20% and make your home uncomfortable.

Controllable ventilation is the key. Aim to allow fresh air into the home only when necessary, and stop heated air from escaping. Exhaust fans and rangehoods can help avoid condensation problems.

Design tips

• Install dampers on open fireplaces.
• Install self-closing exhaust fans if they are in heated areas.
• Use weatherseals to all outside doors and windows, and unheated parts of the home.
• Use automatic door closers to outside doors and doors leading to unheated areas.
• Vent rangehoods and exhaust fans outside, not into the roof.
• Seal well around construction joins, skirting boards, plumbing pipes, exposed rafters and beams.
• Provide a separate external air supply to heaters that burn internal air, like gas heaters. Make sure the air supply can be cut off when you’re not using the heater.
• Choose door frames and opening windows fitted with draught-seals.

Draughts occur through gaps and cracks