As energy bills climb, identifying and fixing sources of heat loss has become a priority for many households. There are straightforward, low-cost techniques that can help homeowners find where warm air is escaping and take the first steps toward improving insulation and sealing draughts.
One recommended method is to choose a day with a noticeable breeze, set the home to its normal heating temperature, and then walk through the property looking for signs of moving air. A small handheld tool such as a candle or a smoke pen — available for around £20 — can show where cold air is entering: the flame or smoke will flicker or drift when it encounters a draught.
For a faster or more visual approach, a thermal leak detector is an alternative. These devices display temperature differences with simple colour coding: blue for cold, green for normal and red for warm, making it easier to spot cold patches around windows, doors, skirting boards and other junctions where heat commonly escapes.
Using these basic checks can be a cost-effective first step before committing to more expensive work. Homeowners who identify obvious draughts or cold spots can then prioritise sealing gaps, improving insulation or seeking professional advice to address the most significant sources of heat loss.