Draught proofing and insulation
Heating and cooling appliances work best when your home can hold onto the temperature you are trying to create.
Improving insulation and reducing unwanted draughts can make your home more comfortable, reduce the amount of energy needed for heating and cooling, and help you get more value from future energy upgrades.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What is draught proofing?
Draughts happen when outside air enters your home through unwanted gaps and openings. Common problem areas include gaps around external doors, windows, exhaust fans and vents, floorboards, wall openings, older fireplaces and poorly sealed building materials.
Draught proofing means finding and sealing unnecessary gaps while making sure your home still has the ventilation it needs.
Benefits of draught proofing
- Make rooms feel warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
- Reduce the amount of heating and cooling your home needs.
- Help lower energy bills.
- Reduce unwanted dust and outside noise.
- Improve overall household comfort.
What is insulation?
Insulation acts as a barrier to slow the movement of heat through your home’s ceiling, walls and floors. In winter, it helps keep warmth inside your home. In summer, it helps reduce the amount of outside heat entering the building. A well-insulated home is easier and more affordable to keep at a comfortable temperature.
Benefits of insulation
- Reduce heating and cooling energy use.
- Help lower household energy bills.
- Improve comfort throughout the year.
- Reduce temperature differences between rooms.
- Help heating and cooling systems operate more efficiently.
- Reduce household greenhouse gas emissions.
Where should you start?
Ceiling insulation is often one of the first areas worth checking because a lot of heat can move through the roof of a home that does not have enough insulation.
Existing insulation should also be inspected before adding more. It may have moved, deteriorated or contain gaps that reduce how well it works. Draught proofing can then help reduce unwanted air leakage around doors, windows and other openings.
Questions to ask a draught-proofing installer
- Where are the main sources of air leaks in my home?
- Which gaps or openings will be sealed?
- What products or materials will you use?
- Will the work affect ventilation my home needs?
- Are there any areas that should not be sealed?
- What maintenance will the products require?
- Is there a warranty for the works or product?
Questions to ask an insulation installer
- What type of insulation do you recommend for my home?
- What R-value do you recommend and why?
- Will you inspect my existing insulation before starting?
- Will gaps in the existing insulation be addressed?
- Are there any electrical or safety issues that need to be considered?
- Is removal of old insulation included, if required?
- What warranty is provided for the products and work?
What is R-value?
R-value measures how well insulation slows down heat moving in or out of your home. A higher R-value means better insulation, helping your home stay warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
Start with the building
Before investing in larger appliances, it is worth making sure your home can retain heating and cooling effectively. Improving insulation and reducing draughts can be a practical way to improve household comfort and can also help future upgrades work more effectively, such as efficient electric heating and cooling.