Winter is almost here, and with it comes low temperatures and freezing rain...not to mention high heating bills. Keeping your home warm can make you more comfortable, but it can also save money.  Here are some tips to stay warm without having to crank up the thermostat: Maintain Your Heating System A well-maintained heating system will keep your home warm for less energy. Having your heating system professionally serviced each fall will pay for itself...changing filters, checking for safety issues, etc. If your heating system is old, it might be time to price out replacing it, and in our relatively mild climate, a heat pump is a great investment. Identify Drafts Drafts and leaks typically happen where two different materials meet, especially around windows and doors. You can look for gaps or run your hand around the edge of the window and door. Then apply weatherstripping or caulk gaps as needed. Reverse Your Ceiling Fan If you have a ceiling fan, it can help in the winter too. Most ceiling fans have a reverse switch . The blades rotate counter clockwise in summer, but clockwise in winter. Clockwise blades create an updraft, pushing the warm air that rises to your ceiling back down. Keep the fan at low speed. Harness Sunlight On sunny days, open your window coverings on south-facing windows. Motorized window coverings make this easier. You don't have to clamber around furniture or reach and lean. If you have smart home technology, you can integrate motorized blinds so you can just tell them to open or change. You can even get sun sensors that automatically open your south-facing blinds when that wall detects direct sunlight. Protect Doors By their nature, exterior doors can't be sealed the way many windows can. You need to be able to open them. Installing a door sweep helps keep cold (or hot) air from getting into your home under the door. Draft stoppers are more popular in Europe, but are easy to acquire or make, and come in bright and cheerful designs such as snakes or Dachshund dogs. Both of these options will also keep out things like pollen and smoke. Leverage Window Coverings Choose the right window coverings to keep heat into your home. Honeycomb shades are primarily used to keep heat out but work in both directions, and are available in all kinds of colors. Traditional drapery also works well for adding insulation to your windows and gives a classic appearance. Even better, pair drapery with roller shades for a layered look and extra privacy. Cellular blinds are well known for improving the overall energy efficiency of your windows. By covering your windows on cold, gray days you keep heat in. Or cover just the north, east, and west windows, and let the sun in on the southern side. Best yet, window treatments are easy to install. Close Off Unused Rooms If you have an empty guest room, or a room that's only used by your child when they're home from college, keep the doors shut and close the vents. You don't need to waste money heating space you aren't using. You can also use zone heating to use minimal heating in these areas, so you can warm them up quickly if you have an unexpected guest. Unblock Vents Make sure you don't have anything covering your vents. Furniture, rugs, dog beds, etc. If you have small children or larger pets you may have to check your vents frequently to make sure toys, blankets, etc, haven't been pushed or dropped onto the vents. Any vent blockage will cause uneven heating and put strain on your system. One of the best ways to stay toasty this winter is window treatments. Choose honeycomb shades or cellular blinds, or heavy drapery to help keep heat in, and opt for motorized options so you can take advantage of south-facing windows on sunny days. To get more help choosing the right window treatments for your home, contact Just Blinds today.