How to Tell If Your Home Has Draughts – 5 Simple Tests

Draughts in your home can result in discomfort, higher energy bills, and an increased carbon footprint. They are often a hidden source of energy loss, silently robbing your home of heat during winter and cool air during summer. Fortunately, identifying draughts doesn’t require expensive tools or professional help. Here are five simple tests to determine the extent to which draughts may be affecting your home.

1. The Candle Test: A Quick and Easy Visual Check

The candle test is one of the simplest and most effective ways to detect draughts. For this test, you’ll need a candle or a tea light. On a calm, windless day (to avoid external interference), light the candle and hold it near potential draught-prone areas like windows, doors, vents, and any cracks in walls or ceilings.

Move the candle around the areas where you suspect air leaks. Pay close attention to the flame. If it flickers or bends in one direction, it’s an indication that there is a draught. Draughts can cause the flame to move, signalling air is entering or escaping.

The beauty of this test is that it’s quick, easy, and doesn’t require any expensive equipment. It can be particularly helpful for identifying draughts around windows and doors where air leakage is often most prevalent.

2. The Tissue Test: A More Delicate Approach

If you’re looking for a more sensitive method, try the tissue test. This is similar to the candle test but uses a lightweight piece of tissue or toilet paper instead of a candle. Hold the tissue near potential draught sources. This could include windows, doors, vents, and any small gaps around plumbing or electrical fixtures.

When you detect a draught, you will see the tissue move or flutter. The more significant the draught, the more movement you’ll see. This test is particularly useful when searching for draughts in hard-to-reach places, such as around baseboards, window sills, and other small gaps.

For even greater sensitivity, you can use a piece of fabric or a lightweight scarf, as the movement will be more visible than a small tissue.

3. The Hand Test: A Direct Physical Check

If you prefer a more direct approach, the hand test allows you to feel draughts as they move through the air. Run your hand along edges where gaps might exist, such as around windows, doors, vents, and any places where different materials meet (e.g., where a wall meets a ceiling).

If you feel a noticeable chill or warmth, this indicates air is escaping or entering. Even a slight draft can make your home less energy-efficient and uncomfortable, so this test is an easy way to get a quick read of the situation. It’s particularly effective during colder months when temperature differences between indoors and outdoors are more noticeable.

4. Using a Thermal Camera for a Detailed Inspection

For those who prefer a more advanced method, using a thermal camera is an excellent way to detect draughts. A thermal camera can visually show temperature variations across your walls, windows, doors, and other surfaces.

When there are draughts, the thermal camera will reveal cooler areas where the outside air is entering, and it will show the warmer indoor air escaping. This type of inspection can be particularly useful for finding gaps that might not be immediately obvious with the other tests.

Many companies now offer thermal camera inspections, or you can purchase an infrared camera attachment for your smartphone. This option allows for a thorough and precise assessment of the overall thermal performance of your home.

5. The Smoke Stick Test: An Ideal Way to Detect Air Leaks

The smoke stick test is a traditional and effective method for detecting draughts, but you can also use an incense stick as an alternative. A smoke stick releases a consistent stream of smoke, helping you visually track air movement.

To conduct this test, light the smoke stick or incense stick and slowly move it around areas where draughts may be present, such as windows, doors, vents, or any other gaps in walls or ceilings. Observe the direction of the smoke – if it sways, this indicates air is entering or escaping through a gap. This test is particularly useful for identifying subtle draughts that may not be immediately obvious through other methods.

Incense sticks are a more affordable alternative, and they’re readily available in most stores. While the smoke from incense sticks may not be as thick as from a professional smoke stick, it still provides a clear indication of airflow, especially for smaller gaps or hard-to-reach areas.

Why Draught Proofing Is Essential for Energy Efficiency

Once you’ve identified the draughts in your home, the next step is to address them with effective draught-proofing methods. Draught-proofing is a critical first step in improving your home’s energy efficiency. By sealing gaps and cracks around windows, doors, vents, and other entry points, you can significantly reduce heat loss during the winter and keep your home cool during the summer.

Draught-proofing is especially effective when combined with other energy-efficient upgrades, such as insulation or window upgrades. These improvements can lower your energy consumption, leading to lower power bills and a smaller carbon footprint.

The Impact of Draughts on Comfort and Running Costs

Draughts can make a room feel cold and uncomfortable, especially during the winter months. In addition, they allow your home’s heating and cooling systems to work harder, which increases energy consumption. Over time, this leads to higher utility bills. Draught-proofing improves indoor comfort and ensures that your heating and cooling systems can operate more efficiently, saving you money in the long run.

Conclusion

By conducting simple draught tests, you can quickly identify areas where air leakage is impacting your home. Draught-proofing those areas will help you save money on energy bills, improve comfort, and contribute to a more sustainable living environment.

If you’re unsure of how to proceed, Draught Fix is here to help. We specialise in professional draught-proofing solutions and can offer expert advice on the best steps to take to reduce energy waste and improve your home’s efficiency - get in touch today.