Rising energy costs have you worrying about your utility bills this winter? With a “whole house” approach to heating, you can save money and stay warm! Here are some ideas for keeping your bill low while you keep your house toasty:

Fast & Free Fixes

These easy tips whittle down your heating bill fast … and don’t cost a dime!

1. Put on a sweater. If you’re comfortable walking around your house in short sleeves, you’re wasting money. Try setting the thermostat at 68° while you’re home, and wear layered clothing to keep cozy.
2. Turn it down. Just lowering the thermostat from 72° to 65° for eight hours each day can cut your heating bill by as much as ten percent! Use a programmable thermostat to automatically lower and raise the temperature setting, or do it manually before you leave for the day or go to bed at night.
3. Close it off. Heat only those rooms you use regularly. Keeping spare bedrooms, the attic, basement, garage and storage areas closed up will prevent wasting heat.
4. If you don’t use it — lose it. When you’re not using your fireplace, keep the damper closed — this will stop up to 8% of furnace-heated air from going up the chimney. Fireplaces that are never used should be sealed.
5. Let the sunshine in. Open the draperies, blinds and shades on your south-facing windows during the day to let in sunlight; close them at night both to reduce chill and retain heat.

Low-Cost Fixes

These steps improve your home’s energy-efficiency without putting much of a strain on your wallet:

1. Give your furnace a “tune up.” Have the furnace serviced before you start using it each winter, and check it every month. Make sure the parts stay clean, and change the air filter when needed for safe, efficient operation.
2. Tuck in the water heater. Installing an insulating “jacket” on older water heaters saves energy costs. (Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and make sure you don’t cover the thermostat.)
3. Give windows & doors a makeover. If replacing windows and doors with energy-efficient versions isn’t an option, there are plenty of low-cost alternatives that can cut heat loss and keep you feeling cozy:
   • Weather-stripping doors and windows can cut heat loss in half! Check for drafts, and repair or replace worn stripping where needed (don’t forget the doors and windows in the basement and attic).
   • Stop drafts cold! A folded towel, blanket or handy draft blocker laid along the crack at the bottom of a door will stop frigid air from sneaking in and warm air from escaping.
   • Energy-saving window “film” is much easier to use than it used to be, and can make your single-paned windows as energy-wise as double paned. Invest in some insulated curtains (or liners for curtains you already have) to stop chilly drafts coming through windows and sliding glass doors.
4. Snuggle in. You don’t have to sacrifice comfort when the thermostat is turned down! Here are some low-cost alternatives for staying warm:
   • Stay toasty while you sleep — use a thick comforter, flannel sheets or low-voltage heated bedding.
   • Use a small space heater to stay warm while you work in your home office.
   • Keep a fleecy comforter on the sofa to snuggle under while watching TV.
   • It’s hard enough getting started in the morning without touching bare toes to a cold floor! Add warmth, color and texture to uncarpeted floors with cheerful area and accent rugs.

Long-Term Investments

These suggestions cost more up front, but lead to greater savings over the long term:

1. Install a programmable thermostat. Programmable thermostats let you lower your home’s temperature at night and during the day, and have your home warmed up when you wake or get home from work.
2. Install fireplace inserts or wood stoves into an existing fireplace. Inserts dramatically improve fireplace efficiency by blowing heat from the fire into the room and limiting the amount of heated air lost up the chimney.
3. Install energy-efficient windows. High-efficiency windows are 40% more efficient than standard windows. Consider replacing single-pane windows with double-pane, high-performance glass windows filled with gas.
4. Install a heat pump. Energy-efficient heat pump systems are the most efficient form of electric heating in moderate climates, providing up to three times more heating than the equivalent amount of electrical energy they consume – and trimming electricity use by as much as 30-40%.
5. Update your heating equipment. Old heating equipment costs more to operate than new, so consider replacing furnaces, heat pumps and boilers more than 15 years old with updated, energy-efficient models.