Here's a simple test - hold the palm of your hand up against the windows in your home. If you feel cold air coming through, warm air is escaping. In fact, in a typical home 20 per cent of all heat loss can be through ventilation and draughts.

Draughtproofing is an easy, cost-effective way to reduce heating bills. As well as saving money, reducing draughts really increases the comfort in your home. External doors and all windows should be draughtproofed where required. When draughtproofing, the following details should be taken into account:-

Adequate ventilation is as important as draughtproofing - and essential if you have solid fuel fires, gas fires or a boiler with an open flue.

Ventilation is especially important in kitchens and bathrooms.

Draught proof internal doors, if needed, but leave kitchen and bathroom windows alone to keep condensation under control.

If condensation is a problem, an extractor fan will help.

Open a window while cooking, running hot water or drying clothes.

Trickle vents in the window frame provide background ventilation - not usually enough on their own, but they reduce the need to open windows.

Have chimneys swept regularly and check air bricks for blockages.