My bedroom window has a draft that I felt every winter, especially at night. Replacing the window was way out of my budget, so I looked for cheap fixes, and the combination I landed on made the room noticeably warmer.

Most window drafts are not the glass. They are the gaps around the frame. Fix the gaps and you fix most of the draft.

The cheap fixes, in order

1. Weatherstripping. Foam or felt strips stick around the sash where it meets the frame. This seals the gap that lets air in when the window is closed.
2. Caulk the outside. On the exterior, caulk the seam where the window frame meets the siding. This stops outside air from sneaking behind the frame.
3. Draft stopper for the sill. A fabric tube filled with rice or sand blocks the gap under the window.
4. Window film. Plastic film shrunk with a hairdryer creates an insulating air pocket over the glass. It is the best fix for the glass itself.

How I found the draft

On a windy day, I held a lit candle near the window edges and watched the flame. The flame leaning sideways showed exactly where the air was coming in. It pointed to the top of the sash, which I had not even thought to check. That one spot got foam weatherstripping, and the draft dropped by most of it.

Which fix is best

• Weatherstripping: best for gaps around the moving parts, cheap, easy.
• Caulk: best for the outside seams, lasts for years.
• Window film: best for old single-pane glass, adds an air layer.
• Draft stopper: best for the bottom gap, and you can remove it when you want the window open.

Do not forget the curtains

Thick curtains or thermal drapes trap a layer of air between the fabric and the window. Curtains plus film makes a real difference on cold nights. My bedroom felt warmer within the same week I did all of it, and my heating bill went down a little too.

I did not need a new window. I needed thirty dollars and one afternoon.