Winterizing your home doesn't have to be expensive! Did you know that you can lower your heating bill just by getting your windows ready for winter?

If your home has single-pane glass windows, you're losing somewhere between ten and 25 percent of your home's heat through that glass. That is insane, but not hard to believe. Have you ever sat on a sofa in front of a single pane window in the winter? You can feel the heat escaping.

Yes, replacing your old windows with double-paned glass or adding storm windows can work wonders for your energy bill, but we don't all have hundreds of dollars to invest in new windows right now. You can still cut your energy bill considerably by just taking a few simple steps to make your windows more winter-friendly:

1. Double up on heavy curtains.

A simple curtain can reduce energy loss through your windows. Choose heavy fabric for the best insulation. If you want to take things a step further, you can invest in a double curtain rod and layer up for even more insulating power.

2. Use window film.

Window film is great stuff. It's much cheaper than replacing the window, and it stops you from losing heat in the winter and cold air during the summer. Not too shabby, right? You can save around $15-$20 per window by installing film on single-pane glass.

Lots of companies make window film, but they usually install in a similar way: stick on the film, seal with a hair dryer, and you're good to go!

3. Stop those drafts.

The glass isn't the only part of the window that loses heat. To really seal those windows, pick up a cheap caulk gun at the home improvement store and seal any holes around the window frame. If the bottom of your window is drafty, you can use a homemade draft dodger instead of caulk - that way, you'll still be able to open the window come spring!

Sealing the windows is just one way to get your house ready for chilly winter temperatures. What other ways are you guys winterizing your homes for the cold months?

Image Credit: Winter Window photo via Bigstock