NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Winter may have snuck up on residents of Buffalo, N.Y. this week. But there's no reason old man winter should catch you off-guard.

In today's top tips we'll tell you about some wallet-friendly ways to protect your home from the chill.

If there's one thing you should put at the top of your priority list, it's to get your heating system serviced, says Tom Kraeutler, the host of the Money Pit. Don't wait until the snow starts because you'll be waiting for a long time for an inspection.

It's very difficult to tell when the heating system - be it oil, gas or propane - is running efficiently. A lot of dirt can collect inside your furnace ducts, and not only will this raise your energy bills, but your home won't be as warm and there will be extra dust particles floating around your rooms.

The most important thing you can do to keep the cold from getting in is to seal in all the warm air. Check the walls of the house by feeling around all of the windows and doors for drafts. You may want to use the back of your hand to feel for air leaks or light a stick of incense and hold it by the window and door frame to see if the smoke wavers, says Kraeutler.

Use a caulk sealant for the gaps. Invest in a temporary caulk if you want to seal your windows shut for the winter season. When you want to open your window again, all you have to do is peel your caulk away. Of course, make sure you keep at least one window unsealed so you can use it in case of an emergency.

Before you light the first log, make sure you clear your chimney of bird nests, squirrels or other little critters. Your flue shouldn't have creosote buildup - this is a black tar-like substance that can cause unwanted fires. Generally you should have your chimney cleaned once a year by a professional.

Find a certified chimney sweep by going to the Chimney Safety Institute of America at csia.org. If you see loose brick or crumbling mortar joints, you'll want to hire a mason for these repairs.

Before the first frost, turn off outside hose faucets. Inside, there's a water valve that you should shut off. Then you'll want to open the outside spigot so that water can't leak past, says Kraeutler.

Turn your attention to the gutters and remove any tree leaves, branches or other debris. You also want to make sure your gutter downspouts carry water at least three feet away from the house to prevent basement flooding.

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