When winter winds blow, heating bills rise. But there’s no reason to break the bank just trying to keep your house or apartment warm.

Swipe through to learn how to keep home heating bills in check this winter.

Consider scheduling an HVAC checkup before it gets really cold. Hiring a pro to make sure everything is working well and efficiently can save big bucks. Plus the tech can identify and fix any potential problems that could be devastating in the middle of winter.

Install a smart thermostat that allows you to program it according to your lifestyle. If you spend all day at work, a smart thermostat can drop the temperature while you’re gone and raise it just before you get home.

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Make sure your doors and windows are tightly sealed. Use weatherstripping and caulk around doors and windows to help keep the cold air out and the warm air in. Also consider using draft guards along the bottom of doors to keep the cold air out.

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Take a look around your space. When you rearranged the furniture in April, did you accidentally block a floor HVAC register? If so, you’re heating the bottom of that recliner, and not much else. If that chair absolutely must go there, you can buy kits that will redirect the airflow to somewhere more useful.

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As much as it might pain you to close off the soothing view of the gently falling snow, closing your blinds or curtains is a great way to block the cold air. If your windows are covered by lightweight sheers, think about replacing them with heavier drapes—at least during winter.

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If you're not expecting guests for a while, consider closing off the guest room. There’s no sense in heating an unused room, whether it’s for guests or a “junk” room you rarely use. Shut the HVAC register, close the curtains, and keep the door closed.

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Bundle up! Wear sweaters, hoodies and big, thick socks around the house, and when you’re flopped on the couch, cozy up with some warm blankets—and maybe a cup of hot cocoa!

Winter is the season for oven-baked casseroles and long-simmering soups. This isn’t just because they taste good, but because cooking at home helps warm the house. It’s also a good time to sharpen your baking skills, keeping the kitchen toasty with batch after batch of mouthwatering cookies.