We all want to be comfortable in our own homes. A big part of that is setting having the right ambient temperature throughout your home, especially staying warm during the winter months. However, that doesn’t need to come with a big price tag—after all, if you’re just like me, you’re probably on the lookout for savings as much as possible.

There are several ways to stay warm without having to splash a lot of cash, and that starts with making your home as energy efficient as possible. Here are a few things you can do to help keep the cold out and be comfortably warm without spending a fortune.

Regularly check your heating

The most important step to improving the efficiency of your home is to make sure that your heating system is running smoothly. This involves arranging for a regular servicing – once a year is enough – so that your boiler, radiators, and other parts are in the best shape possible. If there’s a small issue materialises during the inspection, it’s better to nip it in the bud early rather than waiting for it to become a bigger problem down the line.

If your boiler is checked on and taken care of consistently, you’ll maximise the efficiency of your entire heating system. An engineer will make sure that fuel is burning efficiently, your radiators are emitting heating effectively, and there are no leaks anywhere. Not only will this lower your heating bill, it will make your home safer too!

Seal off as many gaps as possible

With your heating running efficiently, it’s time to make sure the warm air doesn’t escape out into the cold. Check the conditions of your windows and replace or fix ones where you feel a draught. With a leaky window, it’s always good to replace the sealing and glazing, or apply draught proofing where needed.

The gaps along the edges of doors are also easy ways for warm air to escape. Draught excluders are a cheap and easy way to stop that from happening. If you are into DIY, you can make your own draught-proofing and decorate them the way you like — cute animals for your child’s bedroom or a pattern to match your style. Don’t forget that even letterboxes and keyholes let in draughts so make sure to block these off. There are flaps or covers with brush bristles that you can buy to prevent draughts.

Switch to thicker curtains and bedding

When winter comes around, you should switch your thin, summery curtains for thicker, darker types to help insulate your home even more. Although it is a simple fix, you might overlook it! Hanging heavier curtains will stop heat from escaping and give your home a much more cosy, snug feel, which is perfect for those cold, dark nights.

The change in season also means a change in your bedding. It’s the perfect time to get out your duvets and thick wool blankets. With these thicker blankets, you can lower the heating during the night and still stay warm in your sleep. Your bed will look even more cosy—all the more reason to snuggle into bed in the evening.

Insulate your loft

When looking to improve the efficiency of your home, look up. Warm air rises, and if your upper floors and roof are not properly insulated, you’ll lose that warm air easily. Install insulation in your loft to make sure no warmth is lost to the outside. If you have a hot water storage tank up here, it’s even more important to insulate your loft. You should even block off any draughts from your loft hatch. Like your doors, put in some strip insulation to keep hot air in.

Upgrade your boiler

If you find that your heating bill is unreasonably high, it might be time to upgrade your boiler to a more efficient model. Newer, more powerful boilers have energy ratings of 90% or greater, meaning you save more on your heating. Although it might seem pricey to get a new boiler, it’s important to look at the savings in the long run. Compared to your older model, a new boiler will drastically reduce your energy bills as you won’t have to crank up the thermostat as much.

Place lining behind your radiators

One last easy step you can do to keep your home warm is to place lining behind your radiators. Specialist radiator foil can be placed behind the radiator to reflect the heat back into the room. Lining the back of your radiator prevents the wall from absorbing the heat, increasing the effectiveness of your heating system. For a more DIY approach, you can use regular tin foil. Wrap the foil around a piece of cardboard that you have cut to the appropriate size. However, regular tin foil will lose its effectiveness over time and will need to be replaced regularly.

With some time, effort, and a bit of money, you’ll be ready for the coming winter. Taking a good look around your house and completing a few quick fixes is all it takes to keep your home, and yourself, warm when it gets cold. Luckily, you won’t have to splurge in order to implement these fixes. You’ll stay warm with your efficient home, all while knowing you didn’t have to pay a fortune.