3 Signs Your Home Is Losing Heat & How To Prevent It

If you’re constantly cranking up the thermostat and your home still feels chilly, it could be a tell-tale sign that your house is losing heat. This can lead to an inefficient heating system and soaring energy bills. However, there are ways you can prevent heat loss in a house and enjoy a cosier living environment.

In this blog, we’ll explore three common signs that indicate heat loss in your home and provide you with practical tips on how to prevent it. First let’s take a look at the common culprits of heat loss in a house.

Where does heat loss in a house commonly occur?

Heat loss in a house typically occurs anywhere there’s a difference in temperature between the inside and outside of your home. Heat naturally wants to move from warmer to cooler areas and most modern homes are built with energy efficiency in mind. However, older homes may lack proper insulation and have air leaks, contributing to significant heat loss.

Some of the most common culprits for heat loss in a home include:

• The roof – when a roof isn’t properly insulated, a lot of heat can be lost. Insufficient loft insulation allows the warm air inside your home to escape and cold air to seep in, creating a constant battle to maintain a comfortable temperature.
• The walls – as your walls are a significant portion of your home’s exterior, they’re a prime area for heat loss, especially in older homes with solid walls.
• Windows and doors – these are notorious for heat loss due to their large surface area and potential for air leaks. Even small gaps around window-frames can allow for draughts to enter, making your home feel colder and less comfortable.

3 signs your home is losing heat

The signs of heat loss in your home might be subtle but noticeable if you pay close attention. If you recognise any of the below signs, it’s a clear indication that your home is not retaining heat efficiently, leading to an uncomfortable living environment and potentially high energy bills.

Draughts around doors and windows

If you feel a chill in the air when you stand near a door or window, there’s a high chance of an air leakage, which is a prime suspect for heat loss. These draughts, usually quite subtle, are caused by tiny gaps in the seals, allowing cold air to seep in and warm air to escape. Addressing these draughts not only improves your comfort, but also reduces the strain on your heating system, as it no longer needs to work overtime to compensate for the lost heat.

Lack of frost on the roof in colder months

During the winter months, a clear sign of heat loss is the lack of frost on your roof. If your roof is consistently frost-free when temperatures drop, it’s a strong indicator that heat is escaping from your home, melting the frost before it can settle. It’s also a clear sign that your roof is lacking proper insulation, which can create a thermal barrier and keep your home warmer in the winter, and cool in the summer.

Visible gaps in fixtures

Gaps around fixtures might seem insignificant, but it can contribute to significant air leakage and heat loss. Look closely around windows, doors, electrical outlets, and plumbing fixtures for any noticeable cracks or openings. These gaps act as passageways for both warm and cold air to move freely between the interior and exterior of your home, ultimately creating draughts around your home.

How to prevent heat loss in a house

If you’ve spotted any of the above signs, you don’t need to panic. There are ways to reduce heat loss in a house, which contribute to a warmer home, a cosier living environment, and significant savings on your energy bills.

Install weatherstripping

Installing weatherstripping is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to reducing heat loss in a house. This is because it acts as a barrier, sealing the gaps around windows and doors that commonly allow draughts and air leakage. They’re typically made from materials like foam, rubber, or felt, and work by blocking those tiny openings that allow heat to escape.

Applying weatherstripping is a simple DIY process too and you can find self-adhesive weatherstripping at most hardware stores, making installation easy. Be sure to clean the surfaces around your windows and doors thoroughly before applying the weatherstripping to ensure a tight seal.

Insulate your walls and roof

Investing in proper insulation for your walls and roof is arguably the most effective way to prevent heat loss and maintain a comfortable temperature within your home. As we’ve briefly mentioned, insulation acts as a thermal barrier and significantly slows down the transfer of heat between the inside and outside of your house.

If you have cavity walls, you may want to consider cavity wall insulation, where the insulation is injected into the gap between the inner and outer walls. If you live in an older property with solid walls, internal wall insulation is ideal for keeping the warmth inside your home for longer. For lofts, loft insulation is essential to prevent heat from escaping through the roof.

Proper insulation not only makes your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer, but also significantly reduces your energy costs, saving you money in the long run while contributing to a greener environment.

Consider double glazing

As we already know, heat loss through windows can be significant, especially if you have single-glazed windows. Double glazing is a worthwhile investment to minimise this heat loss, improve energy efficiency, and enhance the comfort of your home.

Double-glazed windows consist of two panes of glass separated by a vacuum or gas-filled space, which significantly reduces heat transfer compared to single-glazed windows. This means less heat escapes, leading to a warmer home and reduced energy consumption for heating, ultimately translating into lower energy bills.

Find out how we can help reduce heat loss in your home

Preventing heat loss in a house is crucial for energy efficiency, and by addressing the common culprits of heat loss, you can create a more comfortable and cost-effective living space. 

Taking the steps to improve your home’s insulation is the most effective ways to reduce heat loss in a house. At Eco Providers, we specialise in providing homes with quality loft insulation, cavity and internal wall insulation, and more to improve your homes energy efficiency, save you money on energy costs, and provide a more comfortable living environment for you and your family.

You may even be eligible for free insulation through the ECO4 scheme. To check if you’re eligible and to apply, use our quick online tool today. Alternatively, you can contact our team for expert advice and to discuss all of the options available to you.