10 Ways To Make Sure Your House Stays Warm All Winter

Have you checked your chimney lately?

winter morning through white windows
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When it's freezing cold outside, you need to pull out all the stops, and running your heat 24/7 isn't the most efficient (or inexpensive) answer. There are a few ways to prevent heat loss in your house, so that when you do turn your heater on for a little bit, it lasts all day. Bonus? Many of these tricks you can DIY, so you don't necessarily need to call in a pro.

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1 Improve Your Insulation
Close up of insulation between a brick and cinder block wall.
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First things first, improve your insulation. Warm air can escape through your roof, walls, and floors, so you need to install more, or make sure you don't have any gaps in your existing insulation.

2 Glaze Your Windows
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Double or triple glazing your windows can cut heat loss significantly. If you don't want to take on the cost of calling in a pro, you can buy a shrink-film window kit to help insulate your windows in the winter.

BUY NOW Window Kit Shrink Film, $13, homedepot.com

3 Add Rugs
Courtesy of Tessa Neustadt

Add a rug—or several. Layering rugs is super trendy right now, which is great, because they can help warm up floorboards.

See more at Amber Interiors.

4 Draft-Proof Your Door

Don't let cold winds get in, or warm air get out. Add a draft stopper at the base of your door throughout the winter season.

BUY NOW Draft Stopper, $19, amazon.com

5 Keep Windows And Doors Locked
Cozy winter still life
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Sounds obvious, but needs to be said. Don't leave your windows and doors open for prolonged periods of time (or even at all). Cold air will get in, and it'll be harder to warm it up. If you're warm with the heat on, just turn it off instead of opening the window.

6 Get Some Thick Curtains
Victoria Pearson

None of those sheer, flowing panels when it's too cold to deal outside, K? The thicker the curtains, the warmer you'll be. If you can find some with a thermal lining, even better.

7 Insulate Your Chimney
smoke stacks on the tiled roof
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If you aren't using your fireplace, seal off your chimney with a flue-blocker or chimney balloon. It'll stop the cold air from getting in.

BUY NOW Flue-Blocker, $90, amazon.com

8 Close Off Unused Rooms
Closed white doors
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If you have rooms that aren't in use regularly in your house (guest bedrooms, an office, a gym), close the doors. That'll help keep the heat contained to a smaller space, and prevent cold air from circulating.

9 Let There Be Light
Blizzard Flying Snow Bay Window
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As often as the weather allows, let the sunlight in. If it's a bright, sunny day outside, open up your blinds and curtains. As soon as the sun sets, close your curtains to preserve the heat.

10 Add A Shelf
Urban Outfitters

Place a shelf above your radiator. It can help stop the hot air from rising above it and circulating uselessly near the ceiling.

BUY NOW Floating Wall Shelf, $29, amazon.com

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