Who DraughtBusters can help directly
The DraughtBusters draughtproofing service is free and primarily for those living in energy poverty.
We may be able to help others too when asked.
You can be referred by, or refer others to DraughtBusters via:
Reading Council’s Energy Support Team
Their Customer Fulfillment Centre will fill out a referral form for the Energy Support Team, to then direct to us.
-
- email: energysupport@reading.gov.uk
- phone: 0118 937 3747
Reading Citizens Advice
-
- phone: 0808 278 7819
- Local debt advice agencies
- GPs, churches and charities
If you would like to enquire about DraughtBusters helping draughtproof your home, you should contact one of the above-mentioned organisations and they will refer you to us via the appropriate channels.
You will then join the queue of those waiting. On reaching the top of the list you will be offered an appointment.
On our website we aim to give detailed advice to enable and empower others to do it themselves when able.
However, we recognise that this can be daunting, and so we offer “pop-up” talks and learning sessions in the community. This could be at Neighbourhood or housing groups, religious, community charitie,s or seasonal events. We’ve even given talks and workshops in businesses to support their employees draughtproofing their homes and contributing to Sustainability groups or ESG activities.
Contact us if you’d like to find out more or organise one. Ultimately, we want to reach and support as many people as possible in skills for draughtproofing their homes.
What to expect during your DraughtBusters visit
Once you schedule an appointment with us, we’ll guide you through the process, but here’s a quick overview of what to expect:
On the day of your appointment, our DraughtBusting team will inspect your home—either with you or on our own, depending on your preference. To start, we’ll ask you to share any specific areas where you’ve noticed draughts or other issues. Since you live there, your input is invaluable!
After the inspection, we’ll sit down with you to discuss our findings and outline the best steps to fix the problems. If you’re happy with the plan, we’ll begin the draughtproofing work immediately.
Our team comes fully prepared with all the tools and materials needed, and the cost of materials is included in our service. The whole process typically takes about an hour to an hour and a half.
Before we leave, we’ll also give you helpful tips on managing your heating, improving ventilation, and dealing with condensation, so your home stays cosy and efficient.