Even though January is over, the grim weather and unpleasant chill still appears to be lingering. Keeping houses warm can be a challenge, especially if you’re grappling with the rise in the energy bill costs.
The experts at consumer publication Which? encouraged people to look out for draughts sneaking in through their windows and doors, explaining that there’s one little trick you can do to reduce heat escaping from inside your home. Which? wrote in the video’s caption: “Feeling a draught but can’t figure out where it’s coming from? Grab an Allen key and try this quick trick. It could be a simple solution you need to help you cut your energy bill.”
Draw your attention to the inside of your windows and doors for any adjustment features, which many uPVC products have. These can be found inside of the frames, which can help eliminate the cold creeping indoors.
These adjustment gaps will have tightening hinge screws that allow you to loosen or tighten cam locks. Simply take an allen key and turn the top cam to pull the strike plate in.
Which? explained: “Which means the closed window will be pulled tighter.”
However you may find that the door or window will need too much force to close. To rectify this, simply turn the bottom cam lock in the opposite direction to give it a “little more room”.
By re-aligning the sash during winter, it will help to eliminate draughts and ensure a snug fit in the frame. This will reduce the ability for a draught to creep in through the window or door.
If your window doesn’t have an allen key cam, Which? explained that it may require some more “fiddly adjustments” to its hinges. The experts said: “It’s still worth doing, but remember to check your manufacturer’s instructions before making any adjustments.”
If you’re not able to adjust your windows and doors, the Energy Saving Trust shared some helpful advice for anyone dealing with draughts. For the window, it recommended using self-adhesive foam strips or metal or plastic strips with brushes or wipers attached to stick around the window frame and fill the gap between the window and the frame.
Make sure the strip is the right size to fill the gap in your window. However, the foam strips won’t work for sliding sash windows.
When it comes to doors, Energy Saving Trust explained there are four main areas to focus on when draught-proofing. These are: keyholes, letterboxes, and gaps around the edge or bottom of doors.
