Part of every rehabber’s holding costs is heating. Although it’s typically a small amount, those who rehab homes in colder parts of the country would have to pay bigger bills, especially when their doing a project in winter months. You can continue house rehabbing in colder months but without the heating bill headaches. Practice these simple tips and what do you know, you might just save a few dollars and use the money for repairs.

If it’s a brick or vintage house, chances are it has an old-school fireplace. If you’re house rehabbing the interiors and you aren’t actually using the traditional furnace, be sure to seal the chimney. The damper seal should be closed if no fire is on. Leaving it open is like having a huge window open. Some 24,000 cubic feet of warm air escapes from the interiors to the exteriors through Santa Claus’s entryway, according to a study by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Another simple house rehabbing tip to save on heating costs is having the furnace checked before working on the interiors. This way, you won’t have to worry about working frozen on colder months. Once the pro gives you a go-signal, then move inside and continue with your project. Don’t forget to keep the thermostat at just the right level. Setting it at 68 degrees Fahrenheit at day should be enough, unless it’s terribly cold. According to estimates, your bill can go down by as much as 5% just by adjusting the temperature.

That tip brings us to the next one. If you lowered the thermostat and felt that it was inadequate, you can try grabbing an extra sweater or jacket. If it doesn’t work then raise the temperature again. But chances are a few extra thick clothing will do the trick. Be sure to cover your ears and your extremities.

If the sun is shining, get a little help from it. Open curtains during the day and close them at night. Doing so will let sunshine and heat in. It would help if you used insulated curtains when doing rehab homes during cold months. An insulated curtain system will usually include a reflective vapor barrier which blocks moisture, a film that reflects heat back to the room, a foam that prevents heat from escaping, and another layer that also helps keep the interiors warm.

Finally, when house rehabbing, you can save heating costs by knowing more about ceiling fans. These fans aren’t only meant to keep users refreshed during hot summer days, they can also be used in hot air circulation during winter. Typically, ceiling fans rotate counterclockwise to provide a cool breeze. By reversing its direction and setting it a low speed, the fan can serve as an air circulator. It can suck air upward and eventually drive down warm air.

Just remember, the basic premise of these house rehabbing tips is to create heat and keep it as much as possible inside without relying too much on electricity. Use them and start saving on your heating bills while holding and repairing the property.