Drafts and how to counteract them

Do you find that your floors get cold during the winter months, and you're constantly freezing, even though you've turned the heating up as high as possible? Then it's highly likely that drafts are the cause.

According to Susanna Skogsberg, chief legal officer at the Swedish Union of Tenants, drafts can be felt even when the thermometer shows 20 degrees Celsius, indicating that the problem may be widespread. Despite this, there are no specific figures or percentages describing how common drafts are in Swedish homes.

But what exactly does this mean, and can you actually fix the problem yourself? We'll give you the answer to this question and much more in this detailed and comprehensive guide. So, keep reading to learn more!

What is meant by a draft?

Those of us who live in Sweden are familiar with the phenomenon, especially those of us who live in older houses. It often occurs when poorly insulated windows cool down the air closest to the glass on the inside.

Drafts form when cold air sinks to the floor because cold air weighs significantly more than warm air. At the same time, the heated indoor air is lighter and rises much more easily.

This results in the room's floor area being cooled down, leading to drafts. That's why many household residents complain that their feet "feel frozen" or that they often feel cold.

The diagram above is based on data from Statistics Sweden and clearly shows the significant difference between various buildings. We can also note that there is a 3x higher risk of being exposed to drafts in older buildings than in newly constructed properties. Also note that the figures have been rounded to whole numbers.

How to detect drafts in your home

There are several different methods for detecting drafts in your home. One of the most common is to use a piece of paper that you clamp into your windows or doors when they are closed. Then try to pull out the paper.

If this can be done without much effort, it is often a sign of insufficient sealing. Because of this, it is often easier for cold outside air to penetrate the household.

This method can also be used on exterior doors to check if the weatherstripping has seen better days and needs to be replaced. The same method can be applied to exterior doors to more easily identify if the weatherstripping also needs replacement.

If you are unsure whether your doors and windows are adequately sealed, we at Airmove can provide the necessary expertise. We do this by checking the U-value in consultation with you and providing advice on potential improvements.

Is your ventilation part of the problem?

Another cause that can result in cold drafts is inadequate ventilation. Although ventilation is important to reduce the risk of moisture and poor air quality, it can let in cold outside air – especially around windows or from leaky sills near the floor.

If air gets around the window frame, you may experience a greater draft near the window. To install ventilation correctly, we recommend that you take a look at our products which are both simple and convenient to install yourself.

Insulating windows are ideal for counteracting drafts

To avoid cold drafts caused by poorly insulated windows, it often requires a significant investment. Newer and modern windows are manufactured with completely different technology compared to windows that have seen better days.

Therefore, they have been equipped with a significantly better ability to keep out the cold, while the glass does not get as cold inside the house. In addition to getting rid of drafts, you will also lower your energy costs.

Newer and well-insulated windows retain heat better, which is especially true for triple-glazed windows manufactured with so-called "energy-efficient glass". This reduces your energy consumption over time and saves money, while also contributing to a reduced climate impact.

Below you will find a table with estimated statistics and information on drafts and their impact on energy costs in Swedish homes:

Factor	Estimate/Effect
Share of houses with drafts	Approx. 20–30% of Swedish homes*
Heat loss through windows	Up to 25% of total heat**
Increased energy consumption	10–15% higher energy costs***
Most common causes of drafts	Poorly insulated windows and doors
Savings after insulation	Up to 20% on annual energy costs

* Estimate based on general surveys.
** Depending on the quality of insulation.
*** General calculations by the Swedish Energy Agency.

Cost-effective tips to counteract drafts

We won't hide the fact that eliminating drafts often requires significant investment. If you are currently struggling financially, the following tips will come in handy if you experience cold drafts in your household:

1. Seal frames and gaps in your windows

Weatherstripping or seals can work wonders when it comes to sealing windows. You can find these at many hardware stores. You can expect to invest a few hundred SEK if you plan to seal several windows.

Weatherstrips function by keeping out cold air. At the same time, they prevent warm air from escaping. This is undoubtedly the most effective method to counteract drafts when you have a low budget.

2. Use thermal insulating curtains

Thermal insulating curtains are both inexpensive and effective when it comes to keeping the heat in. This, in turn, counteracts cold drafts, which is both effective and cheap. If you don't have the opportunity to buy thermal insulating curtains, you can always use what you have at home.

The goal is to hang up the thickest curtains or drapes you can find to keep the cold out. You'll get the best effect if you hang them up in the early evening and leave them up overnight.

3. Improve heat circulation

Ensure that furniture, curtains, and other objects in the room do not block heat sources. By circulating warm air efficiently and smartly, you can significantly reduce the occurrence of drafts. An Airmove 1.1 to circulate between 2 different rooms or an Airmove 2.0 to circulate between floors can be a very effective aid.

You can also use portable heaters, costing a few hundred SEK, to warm up areas where drafts occur. It's important to remember not to place these in the wrong part of the room, as it can have the opposite effect.

4. Maintain your windows regularly

Another way to reduce the occurrence of drafts in combination with lower energy consumption is to regularly maintain your windows. You therefore need to ensure that your windows are always in the best possible condition.

This can be achieved by replacing damaged or old putty, checking that the windows close properly, and also that the weatherstrips are not loose. The preceding may seem like significant adjustments but can work wonders in the long run.

Arrange furniture correctly to reduce discomfort

Furniture arrangement is more important than one might think when it comes to reducing cold drafts. The rule of thumb is not to place oversized furniture too close to your radiators. This is because radiant heat is prevented from spreading effectively throughout the home.

Furthermore, if it's an armchair or sofa, there's a high risk that the cold air from the window will become even more noticeable. Similarly, a table can conduct the draft further into the home, and also contribute to the radiators only heating the air beneath the table itself.

It is also important to ensure that windowsills and any radiator covers are installed with air holes. Alternatively, they can be placed in such a way that they do not act as an obstruction but allow warm air to circulate freely.

At Airmove, we have extensive experience in identifying and addressing problem areas. As a first step, we recommend that you describe your needs via our website and await a response from one of our experts.