February may be cold outdoors but staying comfortable indoors doesn’t have to mean using more energy. With a few simple steps, you can help keep your home warm while managing your energy use this winter.

Five easy ways to stay warm without turning up the heat:

Use a voice assistant to adjust your smart thermostat. Lowering the temperature can help you save on heating—and you don’t even have to leave the couch.

Set the mood with a dimmer switch. Lower lighting uses less energy than bright lights, and it makes your space feel cozy.

Close your fireplace damper when not in use. An open damper lets as much heat escape as keeping a window wide open during the winter. Closing it helps prevent wasted energy.

Show your home some love: Clean or replace HVAC filters regularly. A clean filter helps your heating system run efficiently, saves energy and keeps your indoor air fresher.

Seal drafts with weatherstripping. Adding weatherstripping around doors and windows keeps heat in and chilly drafts out, so your heating system doesn’t have to work as hard. Find supplies at our Online Marketplace.

Be your own energy detective.

Suspect some chilly air is leaking into your home? Try these quick DIY tests.

1. The damp hand test: Place a damp hand near suspected drafty areas. If you feel a breeze, seal up the crack with a little caulk.
2. The dollar bill test: Close a door or window on a dollar bill. If it slides out easily, you’re losing energy. Add weatherstripping to tighten the gap.

If you discovered any air leaks, the next step is to seal them. When air leaks are coming through cracks less than a quarter-inch wide, caulking is your best bet.

For components that move, such as doors and windows, use weatherstripping. Be sure to choose weatherstripping that will withstand friction, weather and temperature changes.

Find bigger savings with DIY sealing.

If weatherstripping hasn’t fixed drafts, sealing around window and door trim can help. This is a moderate DIY project, but it can improve comfort and lower energy costs.

What you’ll need:

⚠️ Important: Homes built before 1978 may have lead paint. Removing trim can create hazardous dust. Consider hiring a professional if this applies to your home.

Check if sealing is needed

1. Remove the trim from one window or door.
2. Cut along the painted edges where the trim meets the wall to prevent damage.
3. Gently pry off the trim using a putty knife and pry bar.
4. Look at the gap between the wall framing and the window or door jamb.
5. If there’s little or no insulation or sealant, your windows and doors likely need sealing.

How to seal window and door trim

1. Remove the interior trim.
2. Remove old insulation from the gap.
3. Spray non-expanding foam sealant and let it harden.
4. Trim away excess foam.
5. Reinstall the trim and replace nails.
6. Fill nail holes with putty (clear trim) or spackle and paint (painted trim).

Need a little extra help this winter?

Visit our Seasonal Savings page for support and ideas.

Find more simple ways to save at SaveWithPPL.com.