How you can lower your heating bill with just $25

When you think about saving money on heating, most people picture big upgrades—new windows, better insulation, or a pricey smart thermostat. But sometimes, the biggest difference comes from something small. There’s one fix in particular that costs around $25, takes less than an hour to handle, and can stop a surprising amount of heat loss in your home: sealing the air leaks around doors and windows.

You might not realize how much warm air is slipping out every day through tiny cracks and gaps. But once you stop those drafts, you’ll feel the difference almost immediately—both in your comfort and on your next utility bill.

Those small gaps cost you more than you think

Even a tiny gap around your door or window frame can let out a constant stream of warm air. Your heater has to work harder to keep up, which means higher energy use and shorter system lifespan. The Department of Energy estimates that sealing air leaks can save homeowners up to 15% on heating and cooling costs every year.

You can usually spot the worst offenders without fancy equipment. If you can see daylight around the door, feel a chill near the baseboard, or notice curtains moving slightly on a windy day, that’s heat escaping. Once you seal those leaks, your home will hold warmth longer and maintain a more consistent temperature.

Weather stripping and caulk do the heavy lifting

For about $25, you can pick up weather stripping and a tube of caulk—enough to tackle several doors and windows. Weather stripping seals the moving parts of doors and windows, while caulk fills the stationary gaps where frames meet walls.

Look for silicone-based caulk for exterior use and latex-based for interior gaps. Foam or rubber weather stripping works best for door frames, and adhesive-backed rolls make installation easy. It’s one of the rare home projects that’s cheap, fast, and gives you instant results.

The door sweep makes a big difference too

If you feel cold air sneaking in under your front door, the issue might be a missing or worn-out sweep. Door sweeps are long strips that attach to the bottom of your door to block drafts, and most cost less than $15.

A tight-fitting sweep can stop a surprising amount of heat loss. It also keeps out bugs, dust, and moisture—things you don’t want creeping in when the weather turns bad. Once installed, you’ll notice the entryway feels warmer almost immediately.

Don’t forget outlets and baseboards

It sounds odd, but air can also seep through electrical outlets, switch plates, and baseboards—especially on exterior walls. Outlet gaskets cost only a few dollars and can plug those small but steady leaks. You can also run a bead of clear caulk along the top of baseboards to seal gaps that often go unnoticed.

These spots may seem too small to matter, but combined, they add up to the same effect as leaving a small window cracked open all winter.

Seal it once, save all season

This isn’t one of those fixes that wears out fast. A single round of sealing can last several years if you use good materials. The payoff comes every month your heater runs—less wasted air, fewer drafts, and a cozier house overall.

If you’ve been dreading another high electric or propane bill, this is one of the easiest ways to fight back. A $25 trip to the hardware store and an hour of work can make your home warmer, quieter, and more efficient before the next cold front rolls in.