Doors and windows are among some of the most common sources of draughts in a home
Countless Brits are grappling with rising energy bills this winter after Ofgem’s price cap increased by 2% from October 1. But Octopus Energy suggests there’s one thing you can do to lessen this blow, potentially saving you an average of £80 annually.
Although it may seem obvious, this solution involves detecting and sealing draughts around your home to stop heat from escaping. The energy company explains that you can simply use the back of your hand to find these, but a thermal camera might provide more accurate results.
Octopus Energy’s online guidance reads: “A continuous draught can quickly undo all the good work of your heating – essentially wasting energy.
“Identifying and plugging up draughts around doors, windows and other gaps can help trap warmth in and make your gas spend go further.
“…Professional draught-proofing can cost a few hundred pounds. You can also find draughts yourself using the back of your hand, or with a thermal camera and make your own excluders for free using old fabric scraps. Average saving: £80 per year.”
A thermal camera isn’t an X-ray and cannot see through walls – instead, it functions by assessing surface temperatures. Using this, viewers can identify the warmest and coldest spots of the house, usually both appearing as red or blue, respectively.
Fixing common areas of heat loss, such as windows, doors, and skirtings, can help your house stay warmer for longer, reducing the need to turn up the heating further. Octopus Energy’s advice on this was also mirrored by consumer champion Which? after Ofgem’s price cap increased by roughly 10% in October 2024.
At the time, senior Which? researcher Karen Lawrence explained that thermal cameras can be accessed for free from various local councils, while the London-based Library of Things offers them for as little as £15 per day. Many Octopus Energy customers can also make use of these cameras, though its programme is currently closed for the winter.
Advice from Octopus Energy continues: “We genuinely want to help our customers be more energy efficient. It’s simply the right thing to do, not only because it keeps your bills low, but because it’s better for the environment as well.
“We’ve sent our cameras out to nearly 5,000 customers over the last few years, and we’re absolutely honoured that so many customers have told us that the camera loan has helped them practically identify how to save heat in their home.
“Right now, saving gas is more important than ever, with millions of UK households left struggling to pay record high energy bills. For Winter 2025, we’ve prioritised camera loans for those who need it most.”
Anyone who isn’t confined to a strict budget can also opt for a professional thermal survey, costing approximately £300 for smaller properties and £750 for larger ones. Which? encourages Brits to use its Home Energy Planning Service to work out what options are best for them.
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