If you’ve been wondering how to keep your house warm in the winter, don’t worry—there are plenty of easy and affordable solutions. Whether it’s fixing drafts around doors, sealing up windows, or insulating key areas, these 15 tips will help you stay warm and cozy all season long.
Materials/Supplies
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Fix Drafty Doors
1. Check Your Door’s Fit
Exterior doors are one of the biggest culprits for letting cold air in. If you’re wondering how to keep your house warm in the winter, start here. Do a quick push test: lock your door, then give it a shove. If it moves a lot, it’s not sealing properly, and cold air is likely sneaking in.
2. Adjust the Strike Plate
Tighten your door by adjusting the strike plate. Remove it, bend the tab out with pliers, and reinstall. This will pull the door tighter against the seal, improving insulation—and it’s free.
3. Replace Worn-Out Door Seals
Check the seals around your door. If they’re cracked, thin, or peeling, swap them out for thicker, more durable ones. Replacing worn seals is an easy way how to keep your house warm in the winter without spending a fortune.
4. Install a Door Sweep or Door Bottom
For gaps at the bottom of your door, add a door sweep (attaches to the interior) or a door bottom (fits underneath). A door bottom seals better, but if clearance is tight, a sweep works just fine.
5. Add Door Corner Seals
Stick foam corner seals in the bottom corners of your door frame to block larger gaps. At about $4 a pack, it’s an inexpensive upgrade to make your home warmer.
Stop Window Drafts
6. Lower Storm Windows
If you have storm windows, make sure the glass panel is fully closed. This adds an extra insulating layer and helps keep your house warm in the winter.
7. Seal Gaps with Caulk
Inspect the trim around your windows. If you feel cold air or see gaps, grab some paintable caulk and seal them up for a quick and affordable fix.
8. Use Window Sealing Tape
For leaks at the bottom of your windows, apply window sealing tape. It’s a budget-friendly way to reduce drafts and improve insulation.
9. Install a Window Insulation Kit
Plastic film kits are a classic for a reason. Stick the film around your window, then use a hairdryer to shrink it tight. It’s not the most attractive solution, but it works like a charm.
Fill Gaps and Cracks
10. Use Expanding Foam
For larger gaps, such as those around window frames, doors, or fireplaces, expanding foam gets the job done. Use low-expansion foam for tighter areas to avoid damage to frames.
Seal Up the Fireplace
11. Close the Flue
Always double-check that your flue vent is closed when you’re not using the fireplace. This is one of the easiest ways how to keep your house warm in the winter.
12. Add a Fireplace Blanket
For a drafty fireplace, a magnetic fireplace blanket seals out cold air. It’s a bit pricier (around $36) but can make a big difference if your fireplace lets in a constant chill.
Check Exterior Faucets and Vents
13. Protect Your Outdoor Faucets
Unhook hoses and cover outdoor faucets with insulated covers. This helps block cold air and protects your pipes from freezing—a win-win for just $5.
14. Upgrade Your Dryer Vent Cover
If your dryer vent cover is old and loose, replace it with a dual-flap design. This keeps drafts out and stops critters from sneaking into your vent.
Don’t Forget Outlets and Switches
15. Install Electrical Box Gaskets
Drafts can sneak through outlets and switches on exterior walls. Foam gaskets are cheap (about $10 for a pack of 50) and easy to install. They block airflow and make a noticeable difference in how warm your house feels.
With these 15 easy ways how to keep your house warm in the winter, you’ll be able to stop drafts, keep your home cozy, and even save on energy bills. Tackle these fixes one at a time, and you’ll notice a big difference in no time.
Want even more ways to stay warm? Check out our blog post on Furnace Maintenance and HVAC Basics to keep your heating system running efficiently all winter long!
Fix Drafty Doors
1. Check Your Door’s Fit
Exterior doors are one of the biggest culprits for letting cold air in. If you’re wondering how to keep your house warm in the winter, start here. Do a quick push test: lock your door, then give it a shove. If it moves a lot, it’s not sealing properly, and cold air is likely sneaking in.
2. Adjust the Strike Plate
Tighten your door by adjusting the strike plate. Remove it, bend the tab out with pliers, and reinstall. This will pull the door tighter against the seal, improving insulation—and it’s free.
3. Replace Worn-Out Door Seals
Check the seals around your door. If they’re cracked, thin, or peeling, swap them out for thicker, more durable ones. Replacing worn seals is an easy way how to keep your house warm in the winter without spending a fortune.
4. Install a Door Sweep or Door Bottom
For gaps at the bottom of your door, add a door sweep (attaches to the interior) or a door bottom (fits underneath). A door bottom seals better, but if clearance is tight, a sweep works just fine.
5. Add Door Corner Seals
Stick foam corner seals in the bottom corners of your door frame to block larger gaps. At about $4 a pack, it’s an inexpensive upgrade to make your home warmer.
Stop Window Drafts
6. Lower Storm Windows
If you have storm windows, make sure the glass panel is fully closed. This adds an extra insulating layer and helps keep your house warm in the winter.
7. Seal Gaps with Caulk
Inspect the trim around your windows. If you feel cold air or see gaps, grab some paintable caulk and seal them up for a quick and affordable fix.
8. Use Window Sealing Tape
For leaks at the bottom of your windows, apply window sealing tape. It’s a budget-friendly way to reduce drafts and improve insulation.
9. Install a Window Insulation Kit
Plastic film kits are a classic for a reason. Stick the film around your window, then use a hairdryer to shrink it tight. It’s not the most attractive solution, but it works like a charm.
Fill Gaps and Cracks
10. Use Expanding Foam
For larger gaps, such as those around window frames, doors, or fireplaces, expanding foam gets the job done. Use low-expansion foam for tighter areas to avoid damage to frames.
Seal Up the Fireplace
11. Close the Flue
Always double-check that your flue vent is closed when you’re not using the fireplace. This is one of the easiest ways how to keep your house warm in the winter.
12. Add a Fireplace Blanket
For a drafty fireplace, a magnetic fireplace blanket seals out cold air. It’s a bit pricier (around $36) but can make a big difference if your fireplace lets in a constant chill.
Check Exterior Faucets and Vents
13. Protect Your Outdoor Faucets
Unhook hoses and cover outdoor faucets with insulated covers. This helps block cold air and protects your pipes from freezing—a win-win for just $5.
14. Upgrade Your Dryer Vent Cover
If your dryer vent cover is old and loose, replace it with a dual-flap design. This keeps drafts out and stops critters from sneaking into your vent.
Don’t Forget Outlets and Switches
15. Install Electrical Box Gaskets
Drafts can sneak through outlets and switches on exterior walls. Foam gaskets are cheap (about $10 for a pack of 50) and easy to install. They block airflow and make a noticeable difference in how warm your house feels.
With these 15 easy ways how to keep your house warm in the winter, you’ll be able to stop drafts, keep your home cozy, and even save on energy bills. Tackle these fixes one at a time, and you’ll notice a big difference in no time.
Want even more ways to stay warm? Check out our blog post on Furnace Maintenance and HVAC Basics to keep your heating system running efficiently all winter long!
