How Can I Reduce Heat Loss In My Home?
As the days get shorter and temperatures begin to drop, many homeowners start to wonder how to reduce heat loss in a house - and keep energy bills from rising. Heat loss at home isn’t just uncomfortable; it’s costly. With energy prices and the cost of living still putting pressure on households, improving insulation and preventing heat loss from your house has never been more important.
Fortunately, there are many effective ways to reduce heat loss in a house - from small DIY fixes to advanced thermal wallpaper systems that make a real difference to how your home feels and performs.
In this guide, we’ll explore the main sources of heat loss through a house, how to reduce heat loss in your home, and explore why Graphite Plus Insulating Wallpaper and other thermal liners are smart, modern ways to make your home more energy-efficient.
Why Is My House Losing Heat So Fast?
If your home seems to cool down quickly once the heating is off, you’re not imagining it. Every home loses heat - but some much faster than others.
According to research by Build With Rise, around 35% of all heat loss from a house happens through the walls, while another 25% escapes through the roof. The rest typically disappears through windows, doors and floors.
The main reason homes lose heat so quickly is because warm air moves naturally towards colder areas -in winter, that means out through your walls, roof and windows into the cold outdoors. The better insulated your home is, the slower that process becomes, and the more warmth stays inside where you need it.
Where Is the Most Heat Loss in a House?
Understanding where you’re losing heat in your house helps you target improvements effectively. Here’s a quick breakdown of typical sources:
- Walls – 35%: Especially in older properties without cavity or internal insulation.
- Roof – 25%: Heat rises, so poorly insulated lofts or ceilings are major culprits.
- Windows – 20%: Single glazing or draughty frames allow significant heat escape.
- Floors – 10%: Particularly in homes with suspended wooden floors.
- Doors and gaps – 10%: Small cracks and draughts add up fast.
So, if you want to reduce heat loss in a house, start with your walls - and there’s a surprisingly simple, effective way to do it.
Reduce Heat Loss Through Walls with Graphite Plus Insulating Wallpaper
Walls are the biggest single area of heat loss in most UK homes, which is why Graphite Plus Insulating Wallpaper has become such a popular solution. It’s a unique thermal lining paper that helps prevent heat loss from walls by reflecting warmth back into your room rather than letting it escape through cold surfaces.
What Is Graphite Plus Wallpaper?
Unlike traditional wallpaper, Graphite Plus is made from graphite-enhanced polystyrene, combining insulation and radiant heat reflection. The microscopic graphite particles embedded within the wallpaper work like tiny mirrors, reflecting warmth back into your home.
Based on manufacturer tests, Graphite Plus can deliver up to 20% better thermal performance than standard liners - helping rooms stay warmer for longer while reducing energy use.
How Does It Work?
When applied to your interior walls, Graphite Plus creates a thin but powerful thermal barrier - roughly 4mm thick - that slows down heat transfer. This means your home retains warmth more efficiently, and you spend less time and money reheating spaces that quickly lose heat.
It also improves comfort year-round: in winter, it reflects warmth back into the room, and in summer, it helps keep interiors cooler by resisting external heat transfer.
If you’re wondering how to prevent heat loss in your home without expensive building work, Graphite Plus offers a simple, practical and aesthetic solution.
Other Ways to Reduce Heat Loss in a House
While insulating wallpaper is one of the most cost-effective upgrades you can make, combining it with other improvements will give the best results. Here are some of the most effective ways to prevent heat loss in homes:
1. Upgrade to Wallrock Thermal Liners or KV600 for Deeper Insulation
For rooms that need more robust insulation, consider Wallrock Thermal Liner or Wallrock KV600. Both products are designed to improve a room’s warmth and comfort while tackling issues like condensation and mould.
- Wallrock Thermal Liner: Around 3mm thick, it helps reduce heat loss and provides a smooth, paintable surface. Read more here: https://coveryourwall.co.uk/blogs/cyw-blog/wallrock%C2%AE-thermal-liner-make-your-home-cosier-with-interior-wall-insulation
- KV600: A heavier-duty option with enhanced insulation properties - perfect for cold, external walls. Read more here: https://coveryourwall.co.uk/blogs/cyw-blog/kv600-thermal-liner-everything-you-need-to-know-before-making-the-purchase
These liners not only make rooms warmer but can also help reduce condensation and mould growth, making them ideal for older homes.
2. Add Cavity or Solid Wall Insulation
If your home was built before the 1990s, it may not have cavity wall insulation. Filling the cavity between your exterior and interior walls with insulating material can significantly reduce heat loss through your house.
For older solid-wall homes, internal or external insulation boards can be added - though these are more expensive than wallpapers or liners, they offer long-term savings.
3. Install Insulated Blinds or Curtains
Windows account for up to 20% of heat loss at home. Heavy, lined curtains or thermal blinds can make a noticeable difference, especially in draughty or single-glazed properties.
Close curtains as soon as the sun goes down to trap warmth inside and prevent cold air from circulating near window areas.
4. Seal Gaps and Stop Draughts
Draughts are a major source of heat loss through a house. Check around doors, windows, floorboards, loft hatches and skirting boards for small gaps. Use weatherstripping and caulk to help reducing heat loss.
This simple, low-cost step can make a big impact on comfort and reduce wasted energy.
By sealing any gaps or cracks around your doors and windows, you can help to prevent heat loss and make your home more comfortable.
You can buy specialised draught-proofing strips or sealant that you can apply yourself. This is a relatively cheap and easy way to improve the energy efficiency of your home.
Another way to conserve heat and save energy is by using a draught excluder. By fitting this snug against gaps and cracks around doors, you block out any cold air infiltration and are a quick, cost-effective addition to any home.
5. Improve Loft and Roof Insulation
Heat rises, which means your roof is one of the most important areas to address. A well-insulated loft can cut overall heat loss by a quarter. Adding or topping up loft insulation is relatively inexpensive and pays for itself within a few years through lower bills.
If you’re wondering how to stop heat loss through a ceiling, loft insulation (and sealing any gaps around ceiling fixtures) is your best option.
6. Floor Insulation and Rugs
For homes with suspended floors, insulating beneath the floorboards can reduce draughts and stop warm air escaping into crawl spaces. In the meantime, simply using thick rugs can help retain heat in living areas.
How to Determine Heat Loss in a House
If you’re not sure how well-insulated your home is, there are a few ways to check:
- Look at your energy bills: Rising costs despite similar heating habits often indicate significant heat loss.
- Feel for draughts: Move your hand around windows, doors and skirting boards -cold air movement signals leaks.
- Use a thermal camera: Some councils and energy companies offer infrared imaging to show where your home is losing heat.
- Professional assessment: A heat loss calculation on your house can identify where insulation upgrades will deliver the most value.
How Can You Insulate Your House Easily?
If structural insulation work feels too costly or invasive, there are still many easy ways to prevent heat loss in a house:
- Apply insulating wallpapers or liners (like Graphite Plus, Wallrock Thermal Liner, or KV600)
- Use thermal curtains and draught excluders
- Add secondary glazing film to windows
- Place reflective panels behind radiators
- Top up loft insulation
Small steps can add up to big savings -and a noticeably warmer, cosier home.
FAQs: How to Prevent Heat Loss in Homes
Why is my house losing heat so fast?
Homes lose heat quickly when insulation is poor or gaps allow cold air in. Start by checking your walls, windows and roof - the main areas of heat loss through a house.
How can heat loss be reduced in a house?
Use a combination of insulating wallpapers, loft insulation, draught proofing, and thick curtains to keep warmth inside.
Where is most heat loss in a house in the UK?
Most heat loss happens through walls (about 35%) and roofs (25%), followed by windows and doors.
How to stop heat loss through a ceiling?
Add or improve loft insulation, and seal gaps around ceiling fixtures to stop warm air escaping upwards.
How to prevent heat loss in an apartment?
Focus on internal insulation -insulating wallpaper or thermal liners are ideal since they don’t require structural changes.
Final Thoughts: Small Changes, Big Difference
Preventing heat loss in your home doesn’t have to mean major renovation. From simple draught proofing to advanced insulating wallpapers, there are many affordable ways to reduce heat loss in a house and make your living space more efficient, sustainable and comfortable.
If you’re ready to start improving your home’s insulation, explore our full range of insulating wallpapers and thermal liners.
