Insulation? Give me a draught any day

Peter Rhodes writes: As the Government launches its Green Deal scheme to force us all to stuff our lofts full of lagging, who says maximum insulation is a good idea, anyway?

If you ever step inside a super-insulated house, you will be struck by how deathly silent it is and how there is no movement in the air. The stink from Friday's cod and chips is still with you on Monday.

It is no coincidence that the spread of double glazing and loft insulation has coincided with the rise in sales of air fresheners pumping scented chemicals into the fuggy, fetid atmosphere of unnaturally warm rooms to make them smell of pine forests.

Believe it or not, some of us actually prefer proper homes with proper draughts.

And I bet we are the healthier ones.