DraughtBusters

Energy saving advice and help

  • About
    • What people say about us
    • A typical DraughtBust
    • Helping to set up other groups
    • Frequently asked questions
    • A DraughtBusters Talk
  • Draught proofing
    • How to get started
    • A Case Study
    • Why draughts?
    • Windows and doors
      • Front Door
      • Draughty roof windows
      • Trickle Ventilators
      • uPVC door problems
      • UPVC window seals
    • Redundant AirBricks
    • Floors
    • Loft and first floor ceilings
    • Loft Traps
    • Pet Flaps
    • What is going on under your bath?
  • Finding Draughts
    • How to survey a building for draughts
    • Problem encountered during 2021/2022
    • Dry lined homes
    • Modern timber frame
    • Victorian terraced houses
    • Chalet Bungalow
    • Cross walled homes
    • Early cavity wall homes
    • Concrete panel houses
    • Solid stone and cob homes
  • Help Reducing Energy Use
  • Advanced Air Sealing
    • Problems with Drylined Homes
      • Problems with dot and dabbed walls
      • Around openings in walls
      • Draughts in the first floor void
    • Going Further
      • First Floor Void
      • Condensation mini case study
      • Controlling your heating system
      • Heat loss from unused chimneys
      • Types of damp in the home
      • Draughts and condensation
      • In House Winter Cooling Systems
    • More Advanced
      • Upgrading to Underfloor Heating
      • Lead Pumping
      • Why so many flat roofs fail
      • Summer Condensation
  • Contact

About DraughtBusters

Our aims

  • To reduce energy use
  • To make homes warmer
  • To alleviate energy poverty

What we do

Reading Borough Council awarded a grant to Transition Town Reading in 2012 to fund the materials for a DraughtBusters project. That was the start of Reading DraughtBusters. Since then DraughtBusters has built up a team of experienced volunteers who have helped a lot of people with draughty homes and also given them advice on how to manage their heating systems and reduce their energy use.

DraughtBusters continues to provide practical help to people struggling to pay their heating bills because their homes are cold and draughty. You can read more about who we help below, but most homes could benefit from some additional draught proofing, and it is not hard to do. The average cost per home for the materials used by DraughtBusters is just £22 (we buy in bulk), this had  risen to £25 by the end of 2017 and then by dealing direct with manufacturers managed to hold this cost to less than £30 as of 2022.

This web site has been developed as a way of sharing what we have learnt as we’ve been DraughtBusting in houses around Reading, so that more people can take on DraughtBusting projects themselves.

During late 2021 and 2022 we helped set up groups in the towns surrounding Reading and are looking to start more groups in Reading itself.

Who DraughtBusters can help directly

The DraughtBusters draught proofing service targets those in most need; the priority groups are people living in energy poverty, families with young children, the elderly and people under debt management, we will help others too if they ask. Many are referred to DraughtBusters through the Citizens Advice Bureau, the Council’s Winter Watch scheme, local debt advice agencies, GPs, churches and charities. Others contact us direct, often because they’ve been told about us by someone who has previously been helped by DraughtBusters.

If you’d like to enquire about DraughtBusters helping you draught proof your home, just use the contact form to send us a message and we’ll get in touch with you.

During the visit the DraughtBusting team will first go round and look any obvious, consult you about what needs to be done and then if you agree we will carry out the necessary draught proofing measures there and then. Before we leave we will give advice on other measures that can be taken. The visits generally last  ninety minutes, and the cost of any materials is covered by us, our budget is sometimes topped up by donations from happy customers.

Becoming a DraughtBuster

Being a DraughtBuster is worthwhile, enjoyable and very satisfying. It helps people save both money and energy, and does not require a lot of prior experience or high levels of skill. You will be working with others who have done it before, and you will quickly learn draught proofing skills that you can use in your own home as well as to help your friends and neighbours.

If you would like to join the team do get in touch.

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