I'm an energy expert – how to draught-proof your home for under £10 and save hundreds off your bills | The Sun

MILLIONS are worried about heating costs as cold weather looms – but here's how to draught-proof your home to save £180.

Energy bills have soared to £2,500 for the typical household this winter, meaning many will be worried they simply can't afford to keep warm.

To avoid overspending on heating, Uswitch director of regulation Richard Neudegg has revealed four ways to draught-proof your home for less than a tenner.

"Heating our homes over the winter months is the most expensive part of our energy bills," he said.

"However, that warmth can be easily lost through gaps around windows, lofts and doors, meaning the heating is kept on for longer, increasing the size of your energy bill."

Cracks and gaps around the home cost the typical household £60, according to Shell Energy.

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As hot air escapes and cold air comes in through cracks, households crank up the heating and leave it on higher for longer.

But applying Richard's tips can help you turn down the temperature – and just knocking one degree off your thermostat can save you nearly £128 a year.

That means by plugging up gaps around the home and turning the thermostat down just one degree, you could save £188 a year.

Richard is one of The Sun's Squeeze Team experts, here to help guide you through a crippling cost of living crisis.

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If you’re worried about how to make ends meet, are struggling to pay off your debts or don’t know how best to manage your cash, get in touch by emailing [email protected].

Seal up windows and doors – costs £5 or under

Your windows and doors are draughty hotspots, but a simple and cheap fix could help you save cash on your bills.

Buy draught-proof tape to seal them up and stop the cold air coming in.

"Draught excluder tape can be bought for less than £5 and can cut heat loss from your home," Richard said.

On Amazon, you can buy 10 metres of the self-adhesive seal for only £2.85, for example.

While you're at it, put clingfilm up against your windows to provide an extra layer of insulation.

Use draught excluders – free

Put draught excluders up against your door to save money on your bills.

It's a good way of plugging up the gaps where hot air can escape.

They don't have to break the bank, and if you get creative, they can be free.

"For a cheap DIY alternative, you can use a pair of old tights and fill them with socks to turn it into a makeshift excluder," Richard said.

If you're looking to buy one, they will set you back between £8 and £10 from retailers like Dunelm, Wayfair and The Range.

Keyhole cover – from £5

If you don't have a keyhole cover, you could be driving up your energy bills without even realising it.

Keyholes may be small, but they're still letting hot air out of your home.

Cover it up to cut your energy usage, Richard said.

"They can be purchased for as little as £5, and can add a decorative touch to your door as well as being an energy efficiency improvement," Richard said.

B&Q sells them from a fiver, and Amazon sells them for under £8.

Cover up your floorboards – under £10

Your floorboards could be costing you a small fortune when it comes to your energy bills.

If you have wooden floorboards and no carpet, there are plenty of cracks which are sucking out hot air from your home.

Put down rugs to cover gaps.

Good-sized rugs can be expensive, but we spotted some in the sale for under a tenner from Dunelm.

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Plus, we round up other ways to save on your energy bills with a number of small tweaks.

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