Builder Stan Scott shares some simple tips that don't cost a lot.
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Check your home's ventilation
There's no point in having a great heater if your house is damp, Stan says.
He recommends installing latches on windows (aka restrictor or security stays) so they can stay slightly open during the day.
"They're not a great looking thing but they do such a great job."
Ensure all appliances – such as your dryer – are ducted
"You've got, on average, about 5kg of water that's going to go into your house if your dryer is not ducted."
Ducting is a DIY job you can do with a kit in a few hours, Stan says.
Remove debris from outside the house – anything that could trap water
"Any timber or bricks stacked up against your house or moisture in your gutter, make sure your leaves are cleaned out."
Check your weatherboards for rot, splits or cracks
"There's all sorts of types of patches you can buy and stick on – or at least put some primer on bare timber so water is not getting in."
Get a roof inspection – especially if you've got a concrete tile roof
This should cost a couple of hundred dollars, Stan says.
Do some DIY double-glazing
You can buy plastic rolls for this which resemble double-sided glad wrap, Stan says.
While these are only a temporary solution – they'll last a few years – they're inexpensive and work really well.
"You cut your plastic to size, heat it up (with a hairdryer) and then it goes drum-tight."
For drafty joinery – such as French doors – Stan recommends Raven door seals.
Stan Scott gives further tips on insulation here.
