12 Ways To Warm Up Your Home Without Running Up The Heating Bill

Clean furnace filters and proper insulation will keep you feeling cozy.

A cold home can make it hard to get out of bed in the morning...or, you know, at any time of day.

And sadly, socks and sweaters can only do so much to keep you feeling cozy. If you're trying to save on heating costs but are sick of shivering, here are a few cheap tricks that will help warm up your home:

1. Change out your furnace filters monthly, so your heater isn't working harder than it has to.

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Dirty filters make it harder for the furnace to push heat through. When they get really dirty, filters can also cause the furnace to overheat and shut down. Hold the filter up to the light — if you can't see through it, it's time to change it out for a new one.

2. Caulk cracks in windows to block the draft from seeping through.

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If you're not sure if your windows are leaky, hold a candle up to the seams. If the flame bends, the outdoor air is getting through. Apply a thin line of caulk to the seam and use a wet finger to smooth it out. It should take around 12-15 hours to dry and set.

3. Hang a telescoping curtain rod to create an even more effective shield against the draft.

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You want the blinds open during the day so the sun can help warm up the space, but thick blinds that totally cover the windows will insulate your home at night.

Get this curtain rod from Bed Bath & Beyond for $19.99+ (available in two sizes and finishes).

4. And line your windows with bubble wrap if they're still letting out too much heat during the day.

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Spray the windows with water and gently press the bubble wrap on with the bubbles facing the panes. The bubbles will trap the cold air while allowing the solar heat to pass through. When winter's over, peel the wrap off. It won't leave any residue on the window and you can save the sheet for next year.

5. Switch the fan to turn clockwise at a low speed to help circulate any warm air.

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A fan may seem counterproductive but when moving in a clockwise direction, it actually circulates hot air, pulling it toward the ceilings, out to the walls and windows, and back to the floor.

6. Fill a sock with rice, warm it in the microwave, and stick it under your blankets.

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Use a toilet paper roll to hold the sock open and pour the rice inside. Tie it closed with baker's twine and put the sock in the microwave with a cup of water (so nothing catches fire!) for one to three minutes. Apply a few drops of essential oils for added loveliness. These handmade heating pads cost next to nothing and use way less energy than an electric blanket.

7. Put a metal or ceramic bowl of water near the heat registers or radiators to create steam without a humidifier.

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The furnace dries out the air, which is probably one of the reasons you're coughing and sneezing more than usual during the colder months. Besides being more comfortable, moist air retains more heat than dry air. The heat your registers or radiators give off will turn the water into steam.

8. Refrain from draining the bath until the water has completely cooled down — there's no need to waste that heat!

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While the water is cooling down, the surrounding air is heating up. That's just simple physics!

9. Or leave the bathroom door open while you shower to let the humidity filter through.

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All that steam trapped in a tiny bathroom can cause mold and mildew. When you leave the door open, the humidity will roll out of the room and fill the surrounding area with some much-needed moisture and warmth.

10. Lay out a dark rug so you're not tip-toeing on icy floors.

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A dark rug will absorb more heat from the sun during the day and prevent heat loss through the floor.

11. Guard your door against drafts with a door stopper.

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You can easily make a door stopper by stuffing popcorn kernels and batting into a few pairs of socks, and linking them all together with a few stitches or fabric glue.

12. And cuddle up in the smaller rooms of your home.

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It's easier to keep a smaller room warm than larger ones so, whenever you can, shut the door, and cuddle up with a few blankets until the room fills with heat.