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When winter weather hits and the temperature starts to drop outside, the temperatures can drop inside as well. Use these tips to prepare for your apartment for winter and you will be able to protect yourself and your apartment from the chill.

Before you make any major changes to your apartment, however, read your lease and talk to your apartment property manager to manager to make sure you are not breaking any apartment community regulations.

Reverse ceiling fans
Running your ceiling fan in reverse in your apartment can keep you more comfortable in winter weather. Since hot air rises, your ceiling fan can push that warmer air back down onto you. Just flip the switch on your ceiling fan. If it’s in reverse, you’ll see the blades going counterclockwise when you look up at it.

Help your heating system
You can help your heating system to work more efficiently by wrapping your hot water heater in a special blanket. Available at home improvement stores, hot water heater blankets run about $15 and insulate a heater to be more efficient — that’s a pretty big deal considering that nearly 14 percent of your energy costs go towards providing hot water.

Close off infrequently used areas
Why should your laundry room have to be as toasty as your living room? Keep infrequently used rooms and closets closed off during winter weather so that your space heaters can work more efficiently.
Insulate windowsFor around $15, a window insulation kit uses shrink-wrap plastic sheeting to seal off drafts. The investment could end up saving you money during the cold winter. If your windows are older, consider getting heavy curtains. Just adding heavy drapery around your windows also cuts heating costs.

Have maintenance plug up gaps
Windows aren’t the only drafty places in your pad. Check for cracks and gaps outside your apartment near windows and inside by outlets and doors. Call maintenance and have them use caulk to plug up these leaks. You can also purchase door draft stoppers to stop cold air from seeping in through cracks.

Set the thermostat
If you’ve got a programmable thermostat, prepare for winter by setting it to heat your home only during the hours you’re there. It’s much cheaper to turn the thermostat down during the day when you’re at work and back up when you get home rather than keeping your apartment warm 24/7.
Turning the thermostat down just three degrees can save you money. That’s why utility companies recommend setting your thermostat to 68 degrees. Even if you don’t have a programmable thermostat, you can still save money by adjusting your thermostat manually each day.

Check smoke detectors
Check your smoke detectors when you prepare for winter. While you’re at it, make sure you fire extinguisher still works too. Winter weather brings a lot of indoor fire hazards, so checking these devices now is a good idea.

Winterize yourself
When it’s cold outside, dress appropriately for the weather. Get the right indoor garb for winter weather: sweat pants, slippers, warm pajamas, a blanket for the couch. Instead of turning up your thermostat, make yourself more comfortable with warm clothing.
Just a few small, inexpensive changes can you comfy — and keep you in the black — this winter.