With winter fast approaching, many are looking for the cheapest ways to heat their homes following Winter Fuel Payment cuts.

There are a range of things you can do this winter to help you save money on heating costs – and some are a quick fix.

One of the smallest changes you can make for a big difference is to draught-proof leaky areas.

This is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to save energy, according to the EST, external, reports BBC.

By blocking up unwanted gaps that could let cold air in and warm air out – your home will feel warmer and you’ll have less need to turn the heating on.

The most common place for draughts is around windows and doors. If you invest in some draught excluders to go at the bottom of your door, these can be purchased for as cheap as £7 and it can really make a difference to your home.

To further prepare your house for winter, you should also make sure that your property is insulated properly.

If your house isn’t insulated well, you could be losing all the heat when you do put the heating on and therefore you’ll be keeping the heating on for longer and spending more.

While it might cost a little more to make sure your home is insulated properly, this will save you money in the long run.

In your house, you should make sure your walls, roofs and floors are insulated which is one of the most cost effective ways to keep your home warm.

Uninsulated homes lose heat quickly, with about a third of heat lost through the walls, a quarter through the roof, about 15% through the floor and the rest out of windows and as a result of draughts, reports BBC.

Other tips include using electric radiators which can be plugged in and provide extra warmth.

This option is more suitable for smaller homes or flats and might not be as common as other methods but can be helpful over the winter months.

Finally, replacing your windows to double or triple glazing can provide further insulation for your home, while this is a more pricey option, it can help to keep costs down on energy bills.