Winter is upon us. And as temperatures plunge for most this season, it’s important to remember that your home can take quite a beating as it protects you from the frigid climate outside. If you own your home, there are multiple ways spruce up your digs and prepare it for winter. But even if you rent, there are countless ways to keep your energy bills down while also making sure the house stays in good condition throughout the year’s most brutal spell.

1. Insulate your windows. Anywhere you can feel a draft by your windows or doors, heat is escaping through those areas. Installing new windows can be both costly and trying, but there are other ways to get results. Caulking locations of air leakage is a cost-efficient way to seal in heat. You can also shrink-wrap your windows with plastic film to keep the cold air out. You’ll be surprised how much money you’ll save on heating the house when all the leaky windows are taken care of.
2. Replace your air filter. This is a simple task that should be performed throughout the year. Clogged filters can hike your utilities up, but they also can be a fire hazard. New HVAC air filters are no more than $20 each, and they can usually last up to 90 days.
3. Add insulation in the attic. Even a small amount more of insulation can go a long way in keeping a house warm. Insulation is relatively inexpensive depending on your square-footage, and it can save you as much as $200 a year.
4. Invest in a thermostat you can program. Programmable thermostats can be set to automatically minimize heat while you’re at work or sleeping, saving you money without sacrificing comfort.
5. Wrap a blanket around your water heater. It’s simple, but effective. You can insulate all your pipes with newspaper and blankets to reduce heat loss.