Top-tips for keeping heat inside your home

Here are some of the main ways homes lose heat and what they mean for your household. 

Roof and loft: around a quarter of all heat loss 

Warm air rises so your roof is typically the biggest source of heat loss. Poor or missing loft insulation allows warm air to escape directly through the roof structure. Gaps and cracks around loft hatches also contribute to drafts - uninsulated loft conversions can be especially leaky. 

Walls: about a third of heat loss in many homes 

Walls make up the largest surface area of most houses, so they play a major role. 

Cavity walls 

Homes built after the 1920s often have cavity walls. If the cavity is empty: 

• Heat passes easily through the air gap 
• The home feels cold even when the heating is on 

Solid walls 

Older properties with solid brick or stone walls lose heat even faster because there is no gap to fill.

Windows and doors: 10–20% of heat loss 

Glass is a poor insulator, and gaps around frames can make things worse. Single glazing offers minimal thermal protection and old, damaged, or ill-fitting frames allow cold draughts to enter. Poorly insulated doors can also leak heat around the edges. Use thick curtains to provide extra insulation during colder months.

Floors: about 10% of heat loss 

Heat naturally flows downwards, and uninsulated floors allow warmth to seep into the ground or into unheated spaces. Use thick rugs to add a quick, low-cost layer of insulation.

Draughts: small gaps, big problems 

Tiny cracks can lead to surprisingly large heat loss and uncomfortable cold spots. Common places include: 

• around windows and doors 
• chimneys and fireplaces 
• floorboards and skirting boards 
• loft hatches 
• pipework openings 
• keyholes and letterboxes 

Ventilation heat loss: necessary but manageable 

Homes need ventilation to avoid damp and maintain good air quality. However, uncontrolled ventilation causes heat loss. Trickle vents left open permanently, mechanical fans running unnecessarily and unsealed extractor systems can lead to a loss of heat. 

Ensure your home has controlled ventilation rather than accidental draughts and use extractor fans only when needed. Be sure to keep trickle vents partially open to balance air quality and warmth. 

Reducing heat loss has three key benefits: 

• lower energy bills 
• greater comfort 
• reduced carbon footprint 

If you’re struggling and would like some support managing your bills, head to our customer support page to see the support opportunities available. You can also find some helpful tips and information on the Energy Saving Trust’s website.