With the winter holidays come the low, sometimes freezing, winter temperatures. Properly preparing your home for winter can help you save money on energy bills and prevent the need for repairs come spring. Get your home ready with these simple tips:

Cover Outdoor Plumbing

Outdoor plumbing is particularly susceptible to frozen pipes. Make sure you disconnect and drain all hoses and bring them inside if possible. Turn off water supply to outdoor spigots and cover them for the winter. This simple preventative measure can eliminate frozen and burst pipes and save your home from water damage down the road.

Reduce Drafts

Drafty doors and windows let heat escape from your home. Sealing off these holes can help keep your home warmer and lower your heating bills. Install new thresholds at the base of draft doors to seal off the space between the door and the floor. Weather-stripping is another easy DIY heat saver for both doors and windows. These DIY projects can save you more than 20 percent in heating costs.

Consider a Smart Thermostat

Adjusting your temperature settings either while you are out of the home or sleeping can save up to 10 percent on heating costs. Consider installing a . This programmable tool allows you to adjust the temperature in your home from your smartphone. The smart thermostat can also provide readings and data about the energy usage in your home. Getting familiar with how your home uses heat can help you make adjustments when necessary and save on your next energy bill.

Maintain Your Chimney and Fireplace

Whether your fireplace and chimney are electric or wood burning, it is important to maintain them throughout the winter season. Before your first use, have a professional conduct an inspection and have your chimney swept. Even over the course of one season, a hazardous amount of creosote can build up in your chimney and increase fire risk.

Maintain Your Furnace

Clean any dust or dirt obstructing air release or vents with a vacuum or cloth. Be sure to replace your air filters when necessary. It will help with air flow through the equipment and promote healthier air in your home during the cold months when windows are often shut. Regular maintenance by a qualified HVAC specialist can help your furnace run safely and more efficiently.

These tips can help you winterize your home this season. Also, consider stocking up on winter supplies like shovels, salt and a car snowbrush before you find need them.

To learn how to avoid additional winter problems, check out this article.