It is very important to prepare your home for the colder weather that is bound to come this way. Some of the tips below are things you can do on a daily basis to increase your savings, and others are simple and inexpensive actions you can take to maximize savings through winter.

1. Take Advantage of Heat from the Sun - Open curtains on your south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home, and close them at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.


2. Cover Drafty Windows - Install tight-fitting, insulating drapes or shades on windows that feel drafty after weatherizing. You can use a heavy-duty, clear plastic sheet on a frame or tape clear plastic film to the inside of your window frames during the cold winter months.


3. Adjust the Temperature - When you are home and awake, set your thermostat as low as is comfortable. When you’re asleep or out of the house, turn your thermostat back 10° to 15° for eight hours and save around 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills!


4. Find and Seal Leaks - Seal air leaks around utility cut-throughs for pipes, gaps around chimneys, spaces around recessed lights in insulated ceilings, and unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets. For air leaks around doors and windows, add caulk or weatherstripping.


5. Maintain Your Heating Systems - Schedule service for your heating system. Find out what maintenance is required to keep your heating system operating efficiently. For furnaces: Replace your furnace filter once a month or as needed.


6. Lower Your Water Heating Costs - Water heating accounts for about 18% of the energy consumed in your home. Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120°F). You’ll not only save energy, you’ll avoid scalding your hands.


7. Lower Your Holiday Lighting Costs - Use LED (light-emitting diode) holiday light strings to reduce the cost of decorating your home for the winter holidays. These types of lights use at least 75% less energy.


8. Reduce Heat Loss from the Fireplace - Keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning. Leaving it open is like having a window wide open during the winter; it allows warm air to go right up the chimney. When you use the fireplace, reduce heat loss by opening dampers in the bottom of the firebox (if provided) or open the nearest window slightly–approximately 1 inch–and close doors leading into the room. Lower the thermostat setting to between 50° and 55°F.