It’s almost Valentine’s Day and love is in the air. Why not show your home some love, too, with a couple of easy fixes that pay off in increased comfort and lower energy bills?
When you’re trying to make your home more efficient, big-ticket items like windows and doors are usually the first thing that come to mind. But not all fixes come with a hefty price tag. We’ve put together three budget-friendly upgrades that will make your home feel warmer, work more efficiently, and save you money long after the Valentine’s roses have faded and chocolates have been eaten.
1. Block Drafts Where They Start Cold air has a habit of sneaking in through the smallest gaps, especially around doors. If you’ve ever felt a chilly breeze along the floor, you already know how uncomfortable that can feel.
Slipping a draft stopper ($9.98, lowes.com) onto the bottom of doors is a quick, no-install fix. These fabric-covered tubes sit at the bottom of the door, stopping drafts before they make their way into the room. They work well on exterior doors and between heated and unheated spaces, like basements or mudrooms.
For a more permanent option, adding a door sweep (starting at $5.82, homedepot.com) creates a physical seal between the door and the floor. They’re especially helpful for front doors and doors leading to garages. And they’re easy to install, too: Frost King makes door sweeps that stick to the door with adhesive, and other models that can be installed with basic tools in under an hour. Once they’re in place, they work all day, every day, keeping warm air inside where it belongs.
2. Give Windows a Budget-Friendly Upgrade Even newer windows can let heat escape. Window kits (starting at $5.98, lowes.com) are an affordable way to give your windows an extra layer of protection without replacing them.
Clear window film attaches to the frame to create a layer of insulation between the glass and the room. This reduces heat transfer and helps eliminate those chilly drafts you notice when sitting near a window. Many homeowners feel the difference right away. Installing window film kits is an easy DIY you can do in an afternoon. The payoff is a warmer room and less strain on your heating system. Read this post to learn more.
3. Keep Hot Water Hot Heating water uses more energy than many people realize, which means small upgrades here can save you some big money.
Wrapping pipes with foam pipe insulation ($3.38, lowes.com) is an easy way to keep heat inside the pipes so water stays warmer on its way to faucets and showers. That means less time spent waiting for hot water and less energy used to keep it hot. These pre-slit foam sleeves slide right onto exposed hot water pipes in basements, crawl spaces, or utility rooms and are self-sealing, no tape required.
Faucet aerators are another low-cost win. Installed at the tip of a faucet, they reduce water flow while maintaining pressure, so you use less hot water. They take just minutes to install and deliver savings year-round.
Why Small Fixes Matter
These low-cost upgrades add up to a big difference. Draft blockers keep warm air inside. Window film adds insulation where it’s often missing. Pipe insulation and faucet aerators reduce water heating costs. Together, these small fixes help improve comfort, even out temperatures, and lower monthly bills — all while helping your heating system work more efficiently.
What to Expect After Making These Changes
Pick one or two of these simple upgrades and you’ll notice fewer cold spots, less fiddling with the thermostat, more consistent comfort from room to room, and more hot water. Most of these projects can get crossed off your list in an afternoon, making them easy weekend upgrades with lasting benefits. They offer simple ways to take care of your home and be smarter about energy use all season long. And long after Valentine’s Day has passed, the comfort and savings will still be there.
