Do This 10-Second Door Check to Cut Heating Bills This Winter
As temperatures drop and energy prices rise, UK households are being urged to perform a simple 10-second check this weekend that could slash heating bills by up to £350 – around 20% of the price new price cap.
Ilja Medvedevs, founder of doorsuppliesonline.co.uk, says most homes are leaking heat without realising it – and the biggest culprit isn’t the windows, but the doors.
The 10-second door check
- Place the back of your hand around the edges of external doors.
- Move slowly, especially along the bottom edge.
- If you feel cold air, your door is leaking heat.
Do it before winter bites
September and October are the best months to check, giving households time to act before the coldest weather hits.
Medvedevs adds: “This is probably the best 10 seconds you’ll spend this autumn. It costs nothing, and the savings are instant once the draughts are fixed.”
Even a 1mm gap around a door is like having a hole the size of a brick in your wall,” says Medvedevs. “You’re effectively paying to heat the outdoors. Older or warped doors are most at risk, but even modern doors develop gaps over time.”
The cheap fixes that work instantly
- £10–20 draught excluders or door sweeps block gaps at the bottom.
- Self-adhesive weatherstripping seals sides and tops.
- Adjust hinges or replace seals for stubborn leaks.
“These fixes are quick, affordable, and can save hundreds over one winter,” Medvedevs explains. “Most people think they need to upgrade their heating system, when the real problem is simply a poorly sealed door.”
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