7 tips for keeping your home warm during the winter, according to HVAC pros

With winter temperatures well underway, you may be looking for ways to keep your home warm inside and cool outside. This will not only make you more comfortable at home—but will also save money on heating bills in the long run.

HVAC experts share their top tips and tricks guaranteed to keep you warm this winter.

seal those bad spots

Have you ever felt that annoying cold breeze coming around your windows and doors? It’s not just the arrival of cold – it’s the escape of summer. Sealing gaps throughout the home is a simple solution and can be done by adding weather stripping around your windows or a draft guard under your doors.

One overlooked spot may be your home’s ductwork. Ryan Camp, owner and founder of Harrington Air Conditioning, recommends first making sure your home is properly insulated.

“Sealing and insulating ducts not only improves heating efficiency but also ensures that warm air reaches every corner of your home,” says Camp.

Hidden drafts often come through electrical outlets and switch plates in exterior walls, so don’t forget to check these locations as well. Adding a foam gasket seal to the back of the cover can prevent cold air from getting inside.

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Smart thermostat equals smart heating

Why heat an empty house? A programmable thermostat lets you schedule your heating based on your daily routine. Set it to turn down while you’re sleeping or away and set it to heat your home when you wake up or return.

“Setting it at 7°F to 10°F for eight hours a day can save up to 10% on annual heating bills,” says Josh. Michelle, an HVAC technician and owner of Air Conditioner Lab.

close doors to unused rooms

Do you have rooms you don’t use often? Close the doors and windows for them! It keeps warm air circulating in the rooms you use most – like your living room or bedroom – without wasting energy on empty spaces.

“If your HVAC system depends on balanced airflow, be careful not to do this, as it can impact efficiency,” says Mitchell.

Reverse the direction of your ceiling fan

Ceiling fans aren’t just for summer. HVAC professionals highly recommend setting Your fans will rotate clockwise during winter So they push the hot air towards you.

“It’s a small change that can have a big impact on how comfortable your room feels,” says Francis. Kaspar, an HVAC technician at The Chill Brothers.

Just make sure you keep it at a slow speed so the effort isn’t counterproductive. The goal is to circulate the warm air closest to your ceiling back into the room.

“This simple adjustment can save you up to 10% on heating costs,” says Mitchell.

It is important to maintain your HVAC

Your heating system works hard all winter long, so give it a little TLC. Change your air filter regularly, keep your vents clean of dust and debris, and get a professional tune-up Your HVAC system’s performance and overall home heating can vary from time to time.

“A healthy HVAC system heats more efficiently, and that’s a win for both your comfort and your wallet,” Kasper says.

Use heavy curtains and thermal liner

curtains They don’t just have to be decorative – they can also keep your home warm. Use heavy thermal curtains in winter instead of light summer curtains. Keeping them open during the day allows natural sunlight to warm the interior of your home, then close them at night to trap heat.

“Properly insulating windows with curtains can reduce heat loss by up to 25%,” says Mitchell.

use zoned heating

If your home has multiple levels or rooms that aren’t always in use, consider installing a zone heating system so you can direct your home’s energy to the rooms you use most.

This allows you to heat specific areas based on your needs, which can save energy and reduce heating costs,” says Camp.