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Advice

Draught-proofing is the easiest way of reducing excessive ventilation within your dwelling and hence reducing the heating load. It involves putting a strip (can be various materials) around doors and windows that stop the air from getting through.

Most DIY stores have the materials and advice needed for you to be able to do the work yourself. There are various types of materials that can be used including 'brushes, foams and sealants to strips and shaped rubber or plastic' (www.est.org.uk).

Draught-proofing is a measure that can be carried out at relatively low cost and will make substantial savings from reducing the heating required.

Other sustainable considerations

If you already have a dwelling that is 'air-tight' and you want to introduce some controlled ventilation/air conditioning then why not consider the following technologies:

1. Heat exchanger technology, these devices preheat incoming fresh air using the outgoing indoor air. Usually around 60% of the energy is transferred meaning that your heating system will have to do less work to keep the indoor air temperature to a comfortable level.

2. Wind-driven ventilation does the same job as an electrically-powered system but does not create the pollution associated with 'mains electricity.' This technology will usually be coupled with heat exchanger technology.