17 ways to stay warm (and stop wasting energy).

1. Close the door when you leave a room.

Don’t pay to heat rooms that you’re not using. When you leave a room, and especially when you go upstairs or downstairs, make sure you close all the doors. This helps concentrate heat into the more active central living spaces.

2. Cover your bare floors.

Before you turn up the heat, try adding floor coverings (rugs, mats, or carpets) to make your home feel warmer. Even if you love the look of your flooring, most wood or laminate flooring materials can be cold on bare or socked feet in the winter.

3. Reverse the ceiling fans.

Here's a quick trick to stay warm without increasing your heating bill: change your ceiling fan's settings.

In the winter, set your fan to run clockwise, which pulls cool air upward and forces warm air down from the ceiling. And when the weather is warm again, make sure it's running counterclockwise to circulate cooler air in the room.

4. Use a smart thermostat (and turn it down at night).

Instead of manually changing the temperature every time you’re too warm (or too cold), invest in programmable thermostats for your home this fall and winter.

By programming your home heating according to the latest industry best practices (such as turning your heat down at night), you can save up to 10% a year on your annual energy bill. That’s a substantial cost savings, and it’s easier to manage your heat when you don’t have to think about it all the time.

5. Leave the curtains open.

The timing of when you cover your windows can also make a big difference. In the winter, leave your windows uncovered during the day to capture the sun’s warmth. In the evening, cover your windows to keep warm air inside. 

Pro tip: Curtains that are insulated or made from a heavier material (like velvet) can help keep warm air in and cold air out.

6. Close your fireplace damper.

Did you know that when your fireplace is not actively in use, it could actually be making your house colder?

To ensure warm air stays in your home, shut your fireplace damper when you're not using it. When there’s a fire lit, keep the damper open so smoke can escape your home. But the rest of the time, an open damper it's just a way for warm air to escape.

7. Move objects away from vents.

Take a look at your vents in every room. Is your couch or bookcase blocking them? What about your curtains or drapes?

If so, these objects could be making it harder for your heating system to warm up your home. And if your furnace is working harder, you could be facing higher energy bills this season.

8. Put your lights on a timer — especially holiday lights.

Avoid unexpected charges on your electricity bill by turning off the lights when you're on vacation, out on the town, or sleeping. Consider installing a smart home lighting system and putting your lights on a timer.

And don’t forget your holiday lights — Christmas tree lights, string lights on your home's exterior, decorations on your lawn, etc. — too.

Related: 20 brilliant ways to brighten up your home.

9. Change your furniture's fabric.

Cozying up with warm blankets and quilts is an obvious way to stay warm at home without increasing your energy usage. However, have you thought about changing the fabric on your couch or living room chairs as well? Consider opting for materials that tend to feel warmer and cozier, like chenille, velvet, or wool.

If you've been itching to buy new furniture, reupholstering your existing furniture may be an easier, more cost-effective way to accomplish what you want. Chat with a reupholstery service near you to see how much it will cost.

10. Service your heating system.

When was the last time you changed your furnace filters or cleaned your wood-burning heater? Maintaining your heating system is crucial if you want to stay warm, avoid high heating bills, and prevent costly repairs down the line.

If you haven't already, schedule an appointment before freezing weather arrives (and before local pros are all booked up).

11. Grab your caulk and weatherstripping.

One of the most essential things you can do to mitigate energy loss in your home is to seal up any leaks or cracks. Even the most minor hairline fracture in a doorway or window sill can easily let air escape — and with it, your hard-earned money.

For an easy DIY fix, all you need to do is fill these cracks and gaps with caulk. If there’s any existing caulk around the leak, scrape it away and apply a fresh new coat to prevent air from exiting your home.

If caulk isn’t the right fix, you can use weatherstripping. Made from plastic, foam, rubber, metal, or felt materials, this product sits in the gap between a door or window and the sill or wall.

Pro tip: According to the Department of Energy, use caulk when sealing gaps, cracks, and holes in stationary components. Use weatherstripping when sealing leaks around movable building components.

Related: How to weatherize your home.

12. Add insulation (to areas that need it).

If your home isn’t adequately insulated, it’s easy for heated air to escape. This raises your energy bill and means that your furnace, heat pump, and other appliances must work harder just to keep your home comfortable.

Adding insulation makes it easier to regulate the temperature of your living area. It stabilizes the temperature by preventing air from leaking into areas that don’t require temperature regulation. You may insulate your attic, garage, water heater, and even your pipes.

You can do this yourself if you’re comfortable. But it’s always smarter to hire an insulation contractor who can carefully evaluate where it's needed and install it safely. 

13. Seal your ducts. 

If your home operates on a duct system, checking in on how the ducts are connected could significantly impact your home's coziness this winter.

Some duct systems are not insulated or sealed correctly, which can lead to a considerable amount of heated air leaking out before it has a chance to reach your living space. Insulating or sealing your ducts can help prevent this costly issue.

You’ll need to use a product called duct mastic (you can also search for mastic sealant or metal tape), which is great for sealing ducts and is easy to find at most hardware stores. But do not use duct tape. 

If you aren’t able to find any visibly leaking joints or feel that the fix is too overwhelming, you can call in a professional air duct service.

14. Reduce drafts with double-pane or storm windows.

A house with a lot of natural light and sun exposure can bring much-needed heat and light into your living space. This is a huge benefit, especially during those long, dark winter days. However, poorly made or old windows easily let warm air escape, forcing your heating system to work overtime.

You can reduce drafts and make your home much cozier by switching to double-paned or storm windows. These types of windows, skylights, and glass doors are stronger and more energy-efficient.

You can even install a protective covering on your windows called low-e film, which will help keep heat from radiating out of the house. 

15. Replace missing shingles and fix cracks in your roof.

Even the tiniest crack in your roof can be a channel for warm air to escape. Regularly inspecting your roof can help prevent these cracks from developing.

At least once a year, find a way to safely get on your roof (or hire a roofer) and look for any missing shingles, gaps, or cracks. If you find any of these culprits, deal with them right away. There’s nothing sneakier than heat escaping through your roof during a cold winter.

Related: 5 signs that your roof is in need of repair ASAP.

16. Consider upgrading major appliances.

How long have you had your appliances? If your washer/dryer, water heater, HVAC system, dishwasher, or another appliance has exceeded its lifespan, consider upgrading to a more energy-efficient model.

Or, have a pro inspect your appliances and energy usage. They may find that your current models are working overtime — and costing you more money than you intended. You can hire an appliance technician or a home energy audit service to help you make the best decision.

17. Consult a professional.

If you’re worried that your home has too many weatherization issues to deal with on your own, call in the professionals.

A weatherproofing pro has expertise in getting homes ready for colder weather and can do a top-to-bottom inspection to ensure your home is as energy-efficient as possible. It'll be easier to heat your home in the winter and ensure it stays cozy even as the snow falls outside.