Better insulation means a lower heating bill and a more comfortable home to spend time in over the winter. Get ready for the cold season by taking steps to cut down on drafts.

Winterizing your home before the winter weather hits will allow you to relax when the temperatures drop and the snow starts piling up. While some insulating projects are large, expensive, and require the help of professionals, smaller upgrades can also make a significant difference. Here are four easy and affordable tips that even renters can use, though you may want to clear them with your landlord first.

Hang Heavier Window Coverings

Windows are a major point of heat loss from the home during the winter. It might seem too simple to be effective, but just hanging heavier window coverings can block the cold from creeping inside. They will also stop the heat you’ve built up from seeping out. Thicker and more opaque curtains or Roman shades are both excellent options. You can open them during the warmer and sunnier days to allow the sunshine inside, then close them up again during the cold winter nights for enhanced insulation.

Seal Up Any Gaps

The tiny cracks around door and window frames can allow a surprising amount of air exchange between the inside and the outside, making your heating system work harder. This is why, when it comes to weatherproofing and drought-protecting a home, caulk is your best friend. Get out your caulking gun and get those crevices filled in to stop air from passing through. One way to check for drafts is to hold a lit candle about two inches away from your windows and doors and move it along the frame to see if the light flickers.

Add Weatherstripping to Your Doors

Weatherstripping offers another layer of protection around your outer doors, preventing even more heat loss and keeping you cozier inside. It comes in many forms, including foam, metal, rubber, and vinyl, and is applied to the inside of the door to create a seal that stops air exchange. Generally, the most important space to weatherstrip is the gap under your door, as this will likely be where the largest drafts come in from. However, going around the entire door is best.

Install an Insulation Film on Your Windows

Insulation film is simply a layer of plastic sheeting that can significantly reduce heat loss through your windows. It is an inexpensive solution that can quickly pay for itself thanks to savings on your heating bill. Installation is easy and typically uses the heat from a hairdryer to adhere the film to the glass, leaving a clear and see-through finish that you can still look out of. Just be sure to clean your windows first to help the film stick.

As each of these simple projects should take you no longer than half an hour, you can have your home insulation ready for winter in only an afternoon. Make sure you have all of the right supplies, set aside some time, and get working!