As summer finally draws to a close, cool weather is right around the corner. Once the temperature starts to drop, you may be tempted to run over to your thermostat and crank up the heat. However, this can have devastating effects on your utility bill.

Shouldn’t you be able to stay warm without having to pay an arm and a leg? Fortunately, you can keep your home warm during the winter without running your HVAC ragged.

Reverse Your Ceiling Fans

It may sound strange, but changing the direction of your ceiling fan can have an impact on the temperature. During the warmer months, having your fan on a counterclockwise rotation can give you a breeze, making the room cooler.

During the winter months, you can put your ceiling fan on a clockwise rotation to create an updraft that redistributes warm air throughout the rest of the room. While you’ll still have to use your HVAC to warm the air, you’ll increase the efficiency of your air conditioning by recycling warmer air.

Upgrade Your Windows

Your HVAC works hard to keep your home at a consistently warm temperature, but it has to work harder if air escapes through any window cracks, increasing your energy bill. Before the cold weather really starts to take a toll, you may want to consider replacing your windows during the fall. While window replacement is an investment, it’s one that’s going to save you money in the long run.

In the meantime, you can install weatherstrips at the bottoms of your windows, use insulation film, and use rope caulk to seal any cracks and keep your windows insulated.

Use a Smart Thermostat

With a smart thermostat, you can keep your home warm and save money. This is because you can program your thermostat to keep your home warm during daytime hours and automatically lower the temperature at night or when people are away.

When your HVAC doesn’t have to work overtime to keep your home warm all day, you can save a lot of money. Using this in combination with other strategies in this list can help ensure warm air stays inside when you need it.

Make Sure Your Vents Are Clear

You don’t want to crank up the heat only to have your couch block it by sitting over a vent. Therefore, reorganize your furniture to ensure nothing is blocking your vents. Also, make sure there aren’t any laundry piles, curtains, or rugs blocking vents.

Rearranging your furniture also promotes airflow, allowing the room to heat up faster and more evenly. You can start by moving your furniture toward the center of the room and avoiding placing it near doors or windows.

Utilize the Power of Curtains

One of the easiest ways to keep your home warm during the winter is to utilize the power of curtains. Dark-colored, insulating curtains help keep warm air in and cold air out and attract sunlight, helping rooms stay warm. However, you should keep your curtains open while the sun is still out.

If you can, open your curtains strategically, specifically when the sun hits them during the day. This way, you can harness the natural powers of the sun to keep yourself nice and cozy this winter.