'Life-changing' hack fixes draughty windows to keep home warm and bills down

A 'genius' tip to fix draughty windows has gone viral after it was shared by a DIY expert, as it could help keep your home warm and your energy bills low this winter

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If your home feels chilly, trying this hack on your windows might help.

As the mercury drops, we're all looking for ways to stay snug without sending our energy bills sky-high. But before you crank up the thermostat, consider this: your windows might be letting in more than just light. Draughty windows are a common culprit for heat loss, forcing our heating systems into overdrive and draining our wallets in the process.

However, there's no need to fret or break the bank on expensive fixes. A DIY expert has taken to TikTok with a nifty hack that's gone viral, showing how to seal those pesky gaps and ramp up your home's cosiness factor.

In her trending clip, Emma reveals a surprisingly simple method to track down drafts using nothing more than a feather. By guiding the feather along the window frame, any incoming breeze will set it fluttering, pinpointing the draft's source. And the fix might be easier than you think.

Emma explained: "Many new PVC windows have adjustable compression settings. Open your window and look out for the locking cams. In the winter, you want these to be tighter, as the windows naturally expand and contract as the seasons change.

"There may also be a small notch on the cams to indicate its compression. Typically, if the notch is facing towards the frame that means the cam is at its tightest, and if the notch faces away, it's at its loosest. You can confirm the draught is gone with another feather test."

The woman showed how to adjust her window's compression settings using an allen key, which she inserted into the cam and twisted for the perfect seal to eliminate draughts. For those with windows that don't have manual adjustments or if tweaking them doesn't do the trick, Emma suggested it might be time to change the rubber seals around the window's edge or use some draught-excluding tape as a stopgap during the chillier months.

The feedback on Emma's video was hugely positive, with loads of viewers thanking her for the advice. One person said: "Thank you so much! I'm so glad this came up. Appreciate your sharing of knowledge."

Another thankful viewer commented: "Thank you so much! I was literally considering calling a worker out to fix our draughty windows. You've just saved me a fortune."

Eco Experts point out that windows are a major culprit in energy loss, and in 2022, Historic England reckoned that a whopping one-fifth of heating can vanish due to draughts.

On their website, they've provided a list of DIY tasks you can do to make your windows more energy efficient this winter. These include using self-adhesive foam strips to fill any gaps, placing a door snake or draught excluder across the bottom of your window, and even just hanging heavy curtains that can help keep the cold winds out.

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