25 Cheap Ways to Keep Your House Warm in Winter
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You don’t need to spend a fortune to keep your house warm in winter. A few simple changes can reduce heat loss, improve comfort, and help lower your heating bill. Some of the best fixes cost little or nothing. Others require a modest investment but can save money year after year.
We live in northeast Wisconsin, where winter temperatures sometimes drop well below zero. Our home combines passive solar design, radiant floor heating, and a masonry wood stove, but many of these tips work just as well in older homes, apartments, and houses with conventional central heating.
We’ll start with the easiest fixes, then look at ways to improve energy efficiency and stay comfortable without cranking up the thermostat.
Table of Contents
- Quick Wins: Keep Your House Warm Today
- Why Does Your House Lose Heat?
- Stop Drafts and Reduce Heat Loss
- Get More Heat from Your Heating System
- Take Advantage of Free Heat
- Stay Warm Without Turning Up the Thermostat
- Heating Safety and Common Mistakes
- What Should You Fix First?
- Build a Warmer, More Resilient Home
Quick Wins: Keep Your House Warm Today
If you’re short on time or money, start here. These simple changes can help keep warm air inside and cold air outside.
- Close curtains and blinds at night. Insulating window coverings help reduce heat loss through glass.
- Open sunny windows during the day. Let sunlight provide free heat, especially through south-facing windows.
- Block drafts under doors. Use a rolled towel or draft stopper until you can install proper weatherstripping.
- Keep heating vents and radiators clear. Furniture and curtains can block heat circulation.
- Wear warm slippers and layers. Keeping your feet warm can make the whole house feel more comfortable.
These small steps won’t replace good insulation or an efficient heating system, but they’re a good place to start.
Why Does Your House Lose Heat?
Before spending money on improvements, it helps to understand how heat moves. Heat naturally flows from warmer areas to cooler ones. In winter, your house loses heat through walls, ceilings, floors, windows, and doors.
There are four main ways heat moves:
- Conduction: Heat passes through solid materials, such as walls and window glass.
- Convection: Warm air rises while cooler air sinks, creating circulation.
- Radiation: Heat transfers between surfaces without direct contact. This is why you can feel chilly sitting near a cold window.
- Air leakage: Warm indoor air escapes through cracks and gaps while outdoor air enters.
A well-insulated house reduces heat transfer, while air sealing limits unwanted drafts. The best energy saving improvements usually involve reducing heat loss before adding more heat.
Stop Drafts and Reduce Heat Loss
Keeping the heat you already have is often cheaper than producing more.
1. Seal Drafty Windows and Doors
Check around exterior doors, window frames, and other openings for air leaks. Use weatherstripping around moving parts and appropriate caulk for stationary gaps.
Door sweeps help block cool air entering beneath exterior doors. For a temporary fix, place a draft stopper or rolled towel against the bottom of a door.
If you’re not sure where the drafts are coming from, carefully check around windows and doors on a windy day. You can also use an infrared thermometer or thermal camera to identify unusually cold surfaces, although these don’t directly measure air leakage.
2. Add Insulating Window Coverings
Windows can be a major source of winter heat loss. We use double-honeycomb cellular shades to help insulate our windows. We open them for sunshine and close them after sunset.
Thermal curtains, window quilts, and other insulating coverings can also help. For best results, choose coverings that fit close to the window and limit air circulation around the edges.
3. Install Window Insulation Film
If replacing windows isn’t in the budget, interior window insulation film is an inexpensive alternative. These clear plastic kits attach around the window frame and shrink tight with a hair dryer, creating an additional air space.
They’re particularly useful for older, drafty windows and can often be removed in spring. A properly installed kit generally looks better and seals more effectively than taping blankets or plastic shower curtains over the windows.
4. Insulate Attic Access Doors
Warm air rises, and attic openings can allow heated air to escape. Check the insulation and weatherstripping around attic hatches and pull-down stairs. An insulated attic stair cover can reduce heat loss without requiring a major renovation.
Be sure to maintain required clearances around electrical fixtures and other heat-producing equipment.
5. Insulate Exposed Heating Pipes and Ductwork
Heating pipes and ductwork running through unheated basements, crawl spaces, or attics can lose heat before it reaches your living space. Use insulation rated for the specific application, and seal accessible duct leaks with approved duct mastic or UL 181-rated foil tape.
Don’t cover equipment or components that require ventilation, inspection, or service access.
6. Add Rugs to Cold Floors
Cold floors can make a room uncomfortable even when the thermostat reads 70°F. Area rugs and carpets add a layer of insulation between your feet and the floor. They’re especially helpful over tile, concrete, and poorly insulated floors.
Rugs won’t fix missing insulation underneath the floor, but they can make a noticeable difference in comfort.
7. Check for Hidden Air Leaks
Some of the biggest drafts come from places you rarely notice. Look for gaps around plumbing penetrations, electrical outlets on exterior walls, recessed lighting, and basement rim joists.
Use appropriate air-sealing materials, and remember that some openings require fire-rated products. Don’t seal intentional ventilation openings or combustion-air supplies.
For larger problems, a professional home energy audit with blower-door testing can help identify where your house is losing heat. Check with your utility to see if they offer assistance with home energy audits.
Get More Heat from Your Heating System
Once you’ve reduced drafts, make sure your heating system delivers warmth where you need it.
8. Keep Heating Vents and Radiators Clear
Forced-air heating systems depend on good airflow. Move furniture, rugs, and other obstructions away from supply and return vents.
For radiators and baseboard heaters, leave enough clearance for warm air to circulate. Avoid covering electric baseboard heaters, which can create a fire hazard.
9. Use Ceiling Fans Wisely
Warm air collects near the ceiling, especially in rooms with high ceilings. A ceiling fan running slowly can help redistribute that warmth.
Many fans use clockwise rotation in winter to create a gentle upward airflow, but check your fan’s instructions. The goal is to circulate warm air without creating an uncomfortable draft.
In rooms with radiant floor heating, ceiling fans may provide less benefit because the heat is already concentrated near the floor.
10. Adjust Your Thermostat Carefully
Lowering your thermostat when you’re asleep or away can reduce energy bills. A programmable or smart thermostat makes this easier.
However, the best settings depend on your heating system. Some heat pumps operate more efficiently with smaller temperature changes, and radiant floor systems often respond slowly because of their thermal mass. Experiment with modest adjustments rather than making large temperature swings.
11. Maintain Your Heating Equipment
A neglected heating system can waste energy or become unsafe. Replace or clean furnace filters as recommended, keep outdoor equipment clear of snow, and schedule appropriate professional maintenance.
If you use a wood stove or fireplace, inspect and clean the chimney regularly. A properly maintained heating system provides more dependable warmth, especially during extreme cold.
12. Don’t Automatically Close Vents in Unused Rooms
It seems logical to close heating vents in rooms you’re not using, but this can cause problems with forced-air systems.
Closing too many registers may increase duct pressure, reduce airflow, and interfere with equipment operation. It’s generally better to keep registers open unless your system was specifically designed for zoning.
You can close interior doors to manage comfort in some situations, but make sure rooms have adequate return-air pathways and don’t allow plumbing areas to get too cold.
13. Use Reflective Panels Behind Radiators
Radiators mounted against poorly insulated exterior walls may lose some heat into the wall. A purpose-made reflective panel behind the radiator can help redirect radiant heat toward the room. The benefit depends on the radiator type and wall construction.
Follow manufacturer clearance requirements, particularly around electric heating equipment.
Take Advantage of Free Heat
Not every source of warmth requires turning up the thermostat.
14. Use Passive Solar Heating
Sunshine is one of our favorite sources of free heat. Open curtains and blinds on sunny windows during the day, particularly those facing south in the Northern Hemisphere. Close insulating coverings after sunset to reduce heat loss.
Our home was designed to take advantage of passive solar heating, but even conventional homes can benefit from this simple habit. Learn more in Passive Solar Heating Basics.
15. Use Thermal Mass to Store Heat
Materials such as brick, stone, concrete, and water absorb heat and release it gradually as temperatures change. Our masonry wood stove uses thermal mass to provide steady warmth long after the fire burns down. Sunlight striking a masonry floor can have a similar effect.
Adding thermal mass isn’t always practical in an existing home, but it’s worth considering when remodeling or planning new construction.
Learn more about masonry heaters and radiant heat.
16. Make Use of Heat from Everyday Activities
Cooking, baking, and other household activities release some heat into your home. Winter is a great time for homemade bread, soups, and other slow-cooked meals.
However, don’t leave the oven door open for heating or use your stove as a space heater. The heat from normal cooking will enter the room without creating unnecessary safety risks. Remember to use kitchen ventilation when needed to remove moisture and combustion fumes.
17. Keep Fireplace Dampers Closed When Not in Use
An open fireplace chimney can pull a surprising amount of warm air out of your home. Make sure the damper is closed when the fireplace is completely cool and not in use. For fireplaces that are rarely used, a properly fitted removable chimney draft blocker may reduce heat loss.
Never close a damper while a fire or hot embers remain, and don’t block a flue serving active heating equipment.
Stay Warm Without Turning Up the Thermostat
Sometimes the most economical way to stay comfortable is to warm the people rather than the entire house.
18. Dress in Warm Layers
A wool sweater, warm socks, and comfortable slippers can make a big difference. Layering traps insulating air close to your body, allowing you to stay comfortable at a slightly lower indoor temperature. Natural fibers such as wool are particularly useful because they provide insulation even when slightly damp.
See The Ultimate Guide to Practical Cold Weather Clothing.
19. Keep Your Feet Warm
Cold feet can make the rest of your body feel chilly. Try insulated slippers, wool socks, or a small foot warmer when sitting at a desk. My mother-in-law used a heated foot warmer while working on genealogy, and it got plenty of use during cold weather.
Choose products with appropriate safety certification and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
20. Use Blankets and Throws
Keep warm blankets near your favorite sitting areas. A wool throw over your lap can make reading, knitting, or watching a movie much more comfortable. At bedtime, add an extra blanket or use warmer bedding rather than heating the entire house to a higher temperature.
Our cats also appreciate this strategy. A warm lap and a cozy blanket make excellent winter accommodations, at least according to them.
21. Warm Your Bed Before Sleeping
Climbing into cold sheets isn’t much fun. A hot water bottle or an electric mattress pad can warm the bed before you get in.
Use hot water bottles with protective covers, not boiling water, and inspect them for wear. Follow electric bedding instructions carefully, particularly regarding folding, damaged cords, and overnight use.
See No More Cold Feet in Bed for more tips for toasty toes.
22. Heat the Space You’re Using
If you spend most of your time in one room, supplemental heating may be more economical than raising the temperature throughout the house. An appropriately sized electric space heater can provide targeted warmth.
Note: Electric space heaters can use a lot of energy. You won’t save money with them unless you reduce enough heating elsewhere. Keep portable heaters at least three feet from combustible materials, plug them directly into wall outlets, and turn them off when unattended or sleeping.
See also: Best Solutions for Battery-Operated Space Heaters
Heating Safety and Common Mistakes
Saving money isn’t worthwhile if it creates a fire hazard, moisture problem, or frozen pipes.
23. Control Moisture Without Wasting Heat
Bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans remove moisture and pollutants. Use them when needed, but don’t leave them running unnecessarily. A timer switch can help prevent a bathroom fan from running for hours after a shower.
Make sure exterior exhaust dampers close properly to prevent cold air from blowing back into the house. Although indoor air can become dry in winter, excessive humidity causes condensation and may lead to mold.
24. Protect Pipes in Cold Areas
If you’re reducing heat in unused rooms, remember that plumbing still needs protection. Pipes near exterior walls, in crawl spaces, or in poorly insulated areas can freeze during extreme cold. Maintain adequate heat in vulnerable spaces and address drafts around plumbing.
For more information, see How to Prevent Frozen Pipes.
25. Prepare for Emergency Heating
Winter storms can knock out power and leave homes without central heating. If you rely on electricity for your furnace controls, circulation pumps, or fans, even a fuel-burning heating system may stop working during an outage. Plan ahead for a safe backup heat source.
Some portable propane heaters are specifically rated for indoor use, but they require strict adherence to manufacturer instructions, including ventilation, placement, and fuel handling. Never use outdoor-only heaters, grills, camp stoves, or generators inside your home or garage.
Install working carbon monoxide alarms and smoke alarms, and never assume that an oxygen-depletion sensor replaces proper ventilation or carbon monoxide detection.
For more options, see How to Stay Warm During a Power Outage.
What Should You Fix First?
You don’t have to tackle everything at once. Start with the improvements that address your biggest comfort problems.
| If your problem is… | Start here |
|---|---|
| Drafts around windows and doors | Weatherstripping, caulk, window film |
| Cold rooms despite adequate heat | Check airflow, insulation, and air leaks |
| Cold floors | Rugs, slippers, floor insulation |
| High heating bills | Air sealing, attic insulation, heating maintenance |
| Uneven temperatures | Check vents, ceiling fans, and heating distribution |
| Worries about winter outages | Backup heat and winter preparedness planning |
If you own your home and plan to stay for years, larger investments in insulation and air sealing may pay off over time. If you’re renting or working with a tight budget, focus on removable improvements and simple habits.
Build a Warmer, More Resilient Home
Keeping your house warm is about more than saving money. It’s also about making your home comfortable and dependable when winter weather gets rough.
You don’t need to do everything at once. Start with one drafty door, one cold window, or one improvement to your heating system. Small changes add up.
Want to take the next step?
- Planning construction or remodeling? Read Best Ways to Keep Your House Warm – New Construction and Remodeling.
- Getting ready for winter storms? Start with our Winter Preparedness Checklist.
- Building a more resilient household? Get the free Common Sense Preparedness Quick Start Guide for practical steps to protect your family and home.
For a more complete approach, my book Common Sense Preparedness: Building Resilience for Uncertain Times covers home and shelter, food, water, sanitation, and the everyday skills that help us handle unexpected challenges.
What’s your favorite inexpensive way to keep warm in winter? Share your tips in the comments.
About the Author
Laurie Neverman is the creator of Common Sense Home and author of Common Sense Preparedness: Building Resilience for Uncertain Times. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Math/Physics and a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, with a focus on renewable energy.
Laurie and her family live in northeast Wisconsin in a passive solar home with insulated concrete form walls, radiant floor heating, solar energy systems, and a masonry wood stove. Drawing on her engineering background and more than 20 years of hands-on homesteading experience, she shares practical ways to make homes more comfortable, efficient, and resilient.
Originally published in 2017. Last updated in 2026.
great info, thanks
Really great information!!
we only use wood heat from a wood burning stove, it definitely gets cold around here!
I am going to try my hand at at least one window quilt this year for my largest, coldest room.
Build a canopy bed frame and add heavy blankets curtains to contain the heat. You can attach the foam insulation panels instead of the blankets and keep a blanket curtain as a “door’.
Wool sweaters, socks, scarves, etc. will keep you warm and it’s a natural product which is so much better for us.
Also, bootie slippers really keep your feel warm. They have a “cuff” at the top of the slipper that you can pull up around your ankles. They really do keep your feet warm.
Also, layer socks. A thin pair close to your skin (preferably wool) and then thermal or heavy duty socks over those. Layering is key.
I will burn alot of candles, while in the room, it takes that room up a few degrees, one year that truly was the difference between freezing and not.
Please be careful with large amounts of open flames, especially if you keep them lit while sleeping.
Please make sure you don’t have them anywhere pets can get to them! Voice of experience here…I don’t even own a candle now, and never will have another one
Hi, fabulous website filled with lovely ideas and tips – thank you.
My winter tip, I have Dirt Trapper Mats (rubber backed washable rugs) at all the doors and a stone floor. In the winter I turn the last quarter of the rug up so it sits vertically against and covering the bottom of the door, I then have a curtain rail fitted above the doors with a heavy weight or insulated curtain which reach the floor, tuck the curtain against the mat to keep the drafts out.
Mary, Kent, UK.
Thanks, Mary.
We made bean filled fabric snakes to lay at the base of doors to stop drafts. We also always hang a moveable (and removable) curtain above the exterior door frames – makes a huge difference even with modern doors?
If you have black dark out curtains, reverse them so that the black side is facing outward on an east or west window so the curtains will absorb the sun and release the heat into the room. It also helps to use regular florescent and incandescent light bulbs or whatever gives off heat. Since those light bulbs give off most of their energy as heat, they will help heat your home stay warmer, especially if you need a lot of light and very frequently.
1) There’s something called a Heat Grabber that Mother Earth news had plans for in the 1970s. You can find the info here: https://www.motherearthnews.com/diy/diy-solar-heating-zmaz77sozgoe You place it in a sunny side window and the solar warmed air generated rises up into the house. Free heat. 2) Make a removable Triomphe wall by filling darkly painted plastic gallon milk/ water jugs with water. Place these on a system of built-in shelves or removable bricks and boards in front of your large South-facing sliding glass door or window. These absorb the heat of the daytime sun. In the evening, close your insulated curtains behind them, and feel them radiate heat into your home. 3) Cherrystone pads are just cloth bags filled with dried cherry pits. They can be heated in a pan on top of a woodstove and used like a hot water bottle but they also comform to the body part so you could make a long one and wrap it around your shoulders. I assume they can be heated in a microwave, but I don’t know because I don’t own one. 4) Run the heat and enjoy it. We don’t have cable TV or cell phones and save at least $100 a month by not having them. Because of this we can run our heat to a comfortable level. We still wear warm woolens and have insulated walls and ceilings, large wool area rugs, and use thermal curtains on windows, etc., but we decided to forego luxuries for some creature comfort. This is the first place I’ve lived in ages where I don’t need a hot water bottle all the time and we’re warm enough with the thermostat set between 65-67.
i remember these. we saw that issue and promptly built one. ours was more nearly vertical and pulled cool air off the floor inside, routed it thru the heat grabber and it exited higher up on the wall.
Hi Laurie,
I stumbled across your fascinating website this morning while searching for more uses for Aloe Vera. This plant I really value for its many and diverse uses but couldn’t find mention of it on your site, was wondering if perhaps it has a different name over there.
Looking forward to getting familiar with the many useful topics you cover on your site.
Good health from Portugal,
Basil Croeser
Hi Basil. Glad you’re enjoying the site.
I call aloe vera “aloe vera”, or simply “aloe”, but only used it a limited amount at this point for burns and other skin ailments. My plants are small-ish, not the huge type I’ve seen in some areas.
I’ll note your request and see about pulling together an article in the new year, when people are more health focused. (Although it sounds like you may be well able to write an article yourself. 🙂 )
we have living room with vaulted ceiling. off this room is a halway. I have put tension rod and a thick blanket. in the evening we turn down the furnace, close the curtain which keeps heat in stay comfortably while in that room. we like to sleep in the coolness of the turned down furnace when we retire to the bedroom for the night.
Never tell anyone to bring a propane heater into their home. The carbon monoxide could kill them. Years ago after flood a family had them in their home to dry the place out and they all died over night due to the CM poisoning. Please change that in your article.
Deb – That is terrible, but they probably used a heater that was not rated for indoor use.
There are propane heaters specifically rated for indoor use that may be used safely as long as users follow manufacturer’s recommendations. There are guidelines for the space to be heated and ventilation requirements.
all homes need to have carbon monoxide detectors!
Fill a long sock with rice and tie it off. For instant warmth, pop it into the microwave for two or three minutes, take it out and then cuddle with it.