Perhaps it is because the draught excluder is no new kid on the block, perhaps it is down to how very functional it is in nature or maybe it is just its placement in the home. In truth, it couldn’t be considered the sexiest addition to your home design, certainly not as interesting as some leather living room furniture for example, but draught excluders have most definitely been unfairly overlooked when considering the great benefits they can add to a home. This could all be changing however as a number of factors are likely to increase sales of window and door draught excluders exponentially.
For one thing, it is definitely getting colder. Yes there have been a few fairly mild winters in recent years but in the winter of 2009 the United States and the United Kingdom experienced bitterly cold conditions, and more snow fell than had been recorded for a decade. This could be just a temporary or cyclical phenomenon but there is a growing, although often contested, belief that with the gradual build up in heat from global warming, the melting ice caps will reduce the temperature of the seas and oceans creating an almost permanent winter in the Northern hemisphere. A problem, you could rightly argue, that may require something a little more substantial than draught excluders for doors to solve, but you would probably still rather have one than not.
If we are to take seriously the claims of environmentalists, about the detrimental effects our energy consumption has upon the Earth, then we have to submit to the growing trend towards greener living. There has never been more information in the public domain concerning the consequences of our way of life, and more people than ever are attempting to reduce their own effect on the planet. Once strange and new, recycling is now just another part of daily life, and manufacturers know that consumers may avoid products that are not clearly labelled as such. In a culture largely driven by consumer demand, when enough people vote with their wallet, manufacturers and businesses are obliged to amend their practices, and it is interesting to see how powerful the impact of a move towards a more ethical lifestyle can lead different industries towards more ethical policies.
Energy efficiency is the latest and greatest environmental topic, and it is relevant to all people and all nations in the world. The growing awareness and monitoring of our carbon footprint, particularly on an individual scale, is an indication of how important personal responsibility is to the success of our climate change initiatives. Initiatives which are, it is widely accepted, very challenging and potentially very expensive for the wealthier world nations to implement. Already the media machine is hard at work reminding us all, via regular and informative communications of all types, of how and why we should reduce our energy usage. If some kind of door draught excluder is still not starting to sound essential to you then you probably need to think about the money.
Uncertain times for the world economy have left many without their home and an even greater number without a job. The financial crisis which triggered the recent economic recession has cost governments literally trillions worldwide and reduced investor confidence in all sectors considerably. Coupled with this are the recent rises in energy prices which, during a particularly cold winter, have seen heating bills shoot up to unmanageable levels for those most vulnerable – the elderly, the infirm and those out of work. Also most severely affected by this are those with poorly insulated homes. Older homes in particular may have many small gaps under or around doors and windows which allow expensively generated heat to escape while letting cold air in. A draught excluder can prevent this and the cost savings over time can be immense.
You could of course just stick a towel or blanket under the door but this does not really qualify as insulation. One step up from this are some great novelty door draught excluders like the sausage dog draught excluder, cat draught excluder and snake draught excluder. These can make great presents, are often beautifully made, and do at least give the feeling of being in a properly insulated home. They are definitely better than a towel or blanket in any case, as they are made for this purpose, but they are not really going to make a huge impact on your heating bill alone however cosy they make you feel.
To make a significant difference you really need a more complete solution. The good news is that draught excluders are not usually expensive and can be found for most types and sizes of doors and windows. For those with pets, especially large dogs, the bitter chill that enters the house as the animal exits can be incredibly energy inefficient. Dog and cat flap draught excluders are available which can reduce this problem considerably. You can also get a letterbox draught excluder for your front door which can help as you would be surprised at how much cold some letterboxes can allow into your house. It won’t however exclude your next heating bill, but at least it should be significantly reduced.
For patio doors or sash windows there are wiper seals which help insulate around sliding mechanism based openings. The more common excluders are compression seals which fill all the gaps between touching surfaces creating an air tight seal, and are perfect for doors and windows.
Although some initial effort and cost is involved in fitting draught excluders to your home, the ongoing benefits they can bring are more than worth it. The money you will save on heating each and every day from the time you fit them will pay for itself many times over. Not only will your home be warmer, cosier and costing you less money, but you will also be adding to your own peace of mind by knowing you are doing what you can for Mother Nature too, not a bad arrangement at all.
