Ugh…is there anything worse than a bad draught, especially when you have no clue of where it’s coming from? Thankfully we’ve done our research and came up with some quick fixes you can make around, inside and outside the house to keep the house (hopefully) draught free this winter.

1. Draughts can get through any nook and cranny; through windows and doors, letterboxes, gaps or cracks in the walls and floors. Over time, these nooks and cranny’s get larger and let wind through – we’ve all seen it around our windows. Get some caulking or mastic and fill up those gaps.
2. Buy a good heavy pair of insulated curtains, especially for larger windows in rooms that are rarely used.
3. Fireplaces are notoriously draughty. If you have a chimney that’s not in use, get a chimney balloon. 
4. Fit a letterbox cover, it’s amazing the gust of wind that can come through your letterbox.
5. Get up and snoop around your attic. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland recommend 300mm of insulation in your attic. Sheep wool is recommended as it is breathable, safe and ensures great thermal performance. Plus, the hatch for access to your attic may not be well sealed and is always worth a look.
6. Vents…we’ve got to have them but wouldn’t we all love to block them up come winter time. Fit a layer of breathable membrane behind vents (which should stop some of the breeze and may be a good alternative to closing or stuffing a vent). But if you have a boiler, stove or fire in the room, check with a heating expert that the breathable membrane is safe. Replace your fixed or permanent vent with a Black Hole vent, which has baffles, a sort of maze that regulates the airflow and prevent draughts.
7. Check doors are properly hung, without gaps. A good old fashioned draught excluder (door snake) can work wonders on your doors.
8. If you can’t find the source of the draught, we would recommend calling the experts in. A surveyor, energy consultant or engineer can conduct testing to find the source. This can cost somewhere in the region of €300 – €400 or more. While it can be a high cost, it may be cheaper in the long run.
9. You can also find some great tips, tricks and further info on the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland Website: www.seai.ie

There we have it! Some simple ways to keep Billy the Wind out of your house this winter. However, we still recommend a onesie  🙂

And remember, if you are looking to do some big jobs, or small jobs around the house we can help you finance it all. Check out our loans page here for more info: FIRST CHOICE CREDIT UNION LOANS