£3 draught‑proofing trick may help keep homes warmer

A six‑metre roll of self‑adhesive draught‑proofing tape can cost about £3, and the article notes the average variable‑tariff household bill rose to £1,758 on January 1.

Temperatures have fallen across England, with lows reported around -12.5C, and many households are reassessing how to stay warm. The NHS recommends homes be heated to at least 18C, particularly for older or unwell occupants. Ofgem’s price cap change pushed the average variable‑tariff household bill to £1,758 on January 1, increasing interest in lower‑cost heating approaches. The article summarises several modest, lower‑cost measures reported to reduce heat loss and running costs. Key points: - A 1kW electric fan heater running for two hours is reported to cost about 55p and may be cheaper than heating an entire home if most time is spent in one room. - Electricity unit prices are noted at just under 27p per kWh for standard variable tariffs; at that rate a 2,000W appliance used for two hours is estimated to cost about £1.08. - A six‑metre roll of self‑adhesive draught‑proofing tape is cited as costing about £3, and a chimney balloon from around £16; full draught‑proofing is estimated to save about £80 per year on the average bill. - An electric blanket using 100W for two hours is reported to cost less than 6p in energy; electric throws and heated clothing are mentioned as alternatives to raising whole‑house heating. - For homes with a condensing combi boiler, reducing the boiler flow temperature to around 60C (from 70–80C) is reported to cut gas use by about 6–8%, which the article equates roughly to £55 on an average annual gas bill; the piece also notes guidance to keep temperatures at or above 75C for radiators and 60C for hot water to manage legionella risk. - The article says fixed energy deals can be cheaper than default variable tariffs and mentions that suppliers may charge early exit fees for fixed contracts, although fees cannot be applied in the final 49 days. Summary: The article presents a range of low‑cost measures—from a £3 roll of draught tape to electric throws and boiler setting changes—and gives estimated running costs and potential savings for each. How much any measure would reduce costs for a particular household depends on its insulation, heating system and tariff arrangements. Undetermined at this time.