Saving money over winter

[Discopanda]

Hi everyone, we moved into our home in March and as the weather's got colder over the last couple of days I've noticed some of the windows are slightly drafty. Has anybody tried DIY insulation, like strips, film, etc to avoid wasting energy and if so any products that actually work? Our boiler also needs replacing but I don't know if the cost of replacing it with be more or less than the savings on our energy bills.

Thick curtains saved our bacon for the years before I could get double-glazing installed. If your boiler is on its last legs and you can afford to replace it, do so before it conks out completely and either costs you a big repair fee or gets condemned and disconnected - as mine did - because of high emissions. The latest one I've had installed is much more efficient, all the radiators got powerflushed as part of the service and my bills are down 15% so far.

I agree - big thick floor length curtains - really keep the draughts at bay - especially in front of the doors too. And good old fashioned draught excluders by internal doors

Ditto on the above, plus foil behind the radiators.

What sort of windows do you have? If sash, you can get products at B&Q that are pretty easy to install and reduce draughts.

Are you on the cheapest possible energy deal, especially for gas? Dual fuel not always cheapest.

There was a big thread on this last year if you do a search. MSE also has a long running thread called "preparing for winter part iv".

When we first moved into our (cold) house and money was tight we used bubble wrap on the single glazed windows. It made a big difference. We simply cut squares, held them tightly across the frame and used duct tape to tape them to the frame leaving no gaps. Instant double glazing. You can't see through it of course so perhaps not the best for front windows.

The draught strips do work but can make it difficult to open and close the windows and doors so are better used on those that don't get opened too much.

Cost of a new boiler will initially outweigh the savings but in the long run it will pay off. Boilers generally only last about 8-10 years.

Thanks ladies! I'm thinking of knitting a draught excluder for our front door as well.

hello, suggestions;

curtain at front door to help stop draughts in winter & cool in summer

loft insulation, some companies offer grants under some circumstances

wear jumpers, hat, gloves

hot water bottle

If you have online electric bill provide your own monthly meter reading online

HTH

I brought an expanding tension pole (Wilkinsons) and a cheap throw (Primark) and use that to cover a window which has no curtain. Hope that may help to trap warm air. Cost around £6.50

Get a dog mine sits on me and goes to bed with me he is really warm better than a hot water bottle and never goes cold.

I'd investigate a new boiler.

The house we rented was poorly insulated (they kept cathode ray tvs in the loft) and had an ancient baxi boiler. Our bills were massive.

We bought this house & it's all fully lagged to 27cm and has a new boiler, the bills have gone down from £900 a year to about £400 for both.

You might qualify for a grant, moneysavingexpert has information on its website.