At this time of year, most people – those who live in colder climates, at least – will start to turn on and turn up their heating to keep their homes warmer. However, that is expensive, and it’s getting more and more expensive as the weeks go by, and so you’ll want to try to save as much money as possible. Perhaps you’ll keep the heating lower than you usually would or you only put it on later in the evening.

However, whatever you’re doing to save money and energy, your efforts will be wasted if there are drafts in your property. This means the cold is getting in and you’ll have to turn your heating up a lot higher for it to register at all – you’re wasting a lot of energy and money, neither of which is good. With that in mind, here are some ways to reduce drafts in your home (or your rental property to help your tenants).

Change Your Internal Doors

Even if there isn’t much you can do to stop the cold air getting into your home in a wide sense, there is something you can do to stop it getting into the individual rooms, thereby keeping those rooms warmer and using less energy to do it.

The key is to change your internal doors. By installing new internal doors, you’ll find your room is sealed more tightly, so cold air stays out and warm air stays in. Depending on your budget, you could do this for every door in the house or you might choose to do it for the bedrooms and living area. No matter what your decision, it will make a big difference.

Reseal Windows And External Doors

Of course, if you can prevent the drafts from entering your home in the first place, your new internal doors will make things even cozier, so you should inspect your external doors and all your windows and see if you can feel a draft. To do this, just place your hand by the frames and you should be able to feel something. If you’re not sure, get a lit incense stick or a dollar bill and hold it close to the edge – if the smoke or bill moves, even a little, there is a draft.

Once you know where the drafts are, you can reseal the area using caulk. This should be rubberized caulk as it is longer-lasting, and you can buy it in any hardware store. It’s a simple job to do, but if you want to make sure it’s done right and actually stops the leaks, it could be worth hiring a professional to do it for you.

Use Insulated Window Treatments

Even if you have resealed your windows, you might still find that the area around them is cold – after all, the air outside is cold, and it will make a difference inside. The best way around this is to put up insulated window treatments. These include:

• Blinds

• Shades

• Curtains

Not only will they make the room feel warmer and cozier in the winter, but they will offer a degree of privacy and they will make your room look stylish. Pick a style and design that works with your overall aesthetic, and you can save energy, money, and have a great looking room all at the same time.