We all want to keep our homes warm when it's cold out, but that doesn't have to mean paying sky-high heating bills. Here are six ways to save on heating costs this winter.

Seal all leaky doors and windows. First, make sure your house is leak-proof. Do this by lighting a candle and holding it near each window and door in your home to see if the flame blows in a specific direction. Carefully seal any gaps and cracks with weatherstripping or caulk. You can also cover leaky windows with insulation sheets and put draft stoppers under doorways. Don't let that warm air escape your home!

Invest in a smart thermostat. A smart thermostat can be controlled through a connected device so you can adjust the temperature from wherever you are. You can also set the temperature to automatically adjust during specific times of day to maximize savings.

Insulate yourself and your home. Consider adding rugs to your hard floors and hanging curtains over your windows to keep the cold air out. On a similar note, dressing in layers during the winter will keep you toasty and warm without cranking up the thermostat.

Have your furnace professionally inspected. Calling a professional to inspect your furnace can pay for itself in just a few months. Depending on their opinion, the professional may suggest cleaning or upgrading your furnace so it works more efficiently.

Let the sunshine in. Open the shades when it's sunny out and let the sun's rays heat up your living space. Be sure to close the curtains again at night to keep the cold night air out.

Heat selectively. If you've got a large home and not many people living there, you're probably spending money to heat unused spaces. Consider using space heaters to warm up specific areas of your home instead of turning on an entire heating zone. You can also close the doors and vents of unused rooms that don't need heating.

Don't let your heating bill burn through your budget! Use these tips to save on heating costs this winter.