December is here and the next few months will be the coldest of the year. For many households , that means homes cooling down quickly after sunset and more pressure on heating systems .

It also means higher energy use at a time when many people are trying to save money. Experts say a lot of heat escapes from homes without people realising it.

Small gaps around windows and doors, thin insulation and unsealed floors can all make rooms feel colder. These leaks often lead to people turning the heating on earlier and keeping it on for longer.

With that in mind, British Gas has shared a list of simple steps to help keep homes warm through winter. Many of them cost very little and can be done in a few minutes.

Lowest temperature to heat your home to avoid frozen pipes without hiking

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