If you’re thinking about splashing some cash this winter then some plush new clothes or Christmas gifts for the ones you love might top your list, but the winter is long and if your house is chilly you’re your cash may be better spent on a little winter-proofing.

It might not be exciting but it is essential and these simple tips for winter proofing your home on a budget actually could help you save a lot by spending a little:

Switch Energy Suppliers

It has never been easier to switch energy suppliers and move over to a low-cost tariff. Simply go to ‘Which? Switch’, enter your details and you could find a better deal that instantly saves you hundreds of pounds a year.

Bleed the Radiators

Heating bills are one of the biggest costs during winter. Keep them down by using your central heating wisely and making sure your system works efficiently.

Bleed your radiators to ensure they heat up properly and turn down your thermostat by one degree. This could save you £90 per year but to keep your costs really low, use a timer that turns your heating on just when you need it.

Insulate Your Home

There are plenty of ways that you can insulate your home cheaply to keep all of the warmth in and all the cold and draughts out.

The majority of heat loss in any property is caused by poorly insulated walls and roofs. On average 25% to 35% of the heating that you’re paying for is drifting outside, so trap it in with insulation.

British Gas report that 90% of all households in the UK are entitled to free insulation and you don’t need to be a customer to get it. Simply check your eligibility online and if you qualify, they’ll arrange for an installation team to visit your home and insulate it at no cost. Depending on the type of property you live in, this could save you hundreds of pounds a year.

There are other low-cost ways to insulate your home too. Check windows, doors and letterboxes for cold spots and block them with draught excluders. You can find these at your local DIY store at a cost of £5 – £20.

Windows are another source of heat loss. Even if they’re double glazed you can expect 10% of your warmth to evaporate through the glass so limit heat loss by insulating your windows with window film and thermal curtains.

Dress it Well

A room that looks cold, feels cold. Sometimes it may just take a few accessories to make your home feel warmer. Rugs, throws and cushions all make a difference, however these aren’t suitable for every room.

Kitchens and bathrooms are both hotspots for unsightly mould growth due to high levels of moisture caused by condensation which, if left untreated, can be really bad for your health.

Improving the ventilation and insulation in these rooms can help tackle mould and mildew problems occurring but they won’t make an existing problem go away. But, with a little elbow grease and some clever, low-cost products you can solve mould issues yourself and make your kitchen or bathroom look and feel warmer.

Regular household cleaning products aren’t sufficient but you can get a specialist mould solution for mildew and black mould removal from Chemsol Direct. It kills fungus and bacteria to not only remove mould, but prevent it coming back.

Giving a cold room a makeover with a lick of paint is a budget-friendly way to make it feel warm and more inviting. Use rich tones of cream and yellow with accents of red, orange and gold and if you’re painting a room where mould has been an issue, avoid expensive paints that promise to hide or prevent it, an anti mould paint additive that you can add to regular emulsion is a real cash-saver.

That’s all it takes to stay warm and snug and make your home, homely, so winter proof your home on a budget, grab a glass of mulled wine and enjoy your cosy-time indoors.