This post is by Duncan Bell of the Transition Worcester energy group.
Draught Busting
Draughts waste energy and money by allowing warm air to escape homes and cold air to entre.
It is relatively quick and easy to stop problem draughts, compared to the large amount of energy that they waste.
Draughts are almost universally found around doors, windows, and chimneys, but not limited to these places.
Some draughts can be simply felt using a damp back of the hand, or dusting likely draughty areas with fine powder such as custard powder or corn flour, and watching to see if the powder moves from where you put it.
Some ventilation is essential for a healthy home, but most homes have many more times the level of draughtyness than is necessary.
Other draughts can only be found using more specialised equipment, contact us or Transition Worcester for help once lockdown ends.
Once you’ve found a draught, it is time to seal it.
Self adhesive draught strips can be cut with scissors and stuck directly to (ideally clean) painted or plastic surfaces. A good way to clean surfaces before sticking is to wipe them with rag dampened with meths.
Many low cost draught proofing products are available from local DIY stores or delivery from national DIY and building supply chains likes Wickes and Screwfix. Just search using the term "draught".
As well a buying products you can make some draught excluder gadgets:
- Make your own internal under door draught excluder for free using roll of old blanket, clothes, etc.
- Make your own Chimney Draught Excluder for free using a bundle of plastic bags, old blanket, etc.
SupaSoft
SupaSoft is an easy to handle and environmental alternative to standard nasty itchey fibreglass wool insulation.
SupaSoft is excellent for insulating lofts.
Transition Worcester energy group have used SupaSoft, and we found it effective insulation and a joy to work with, no fibreglass itchyness.
Fire safe, we took a sample of SupaSoft to the garden, poured petrol over it and lit it. The petrol burned as expected, the SupaSoft melted but didn't burn once the petrol was used up.
Conclusion, SupaSoft is less of a fire risk than the usual cardboard boxes and household junk already found in most lofts.
SupaSoft is manufactured in the UK from recycled plastic waste.
See NaturalInsulations.co.uk for more information.