Top 10 Tips for Getting Your Home Ready for Winter

1. Install (or use) a programmable thermostat — If you have central heating or cooling in your home, using a programmable thermostat is a low cost first step to reducing your utility bills. A programmable thermostat automatically raises or lowers the temperature of your home at sets times of the day.  If you don’t have one, it can be purchased at most hardware stores and installed yourself in under an hour

2. Seal air leaks around your house – About 15-35 percent of the energy used to heat and cool the average home is lost due to air leaks that are easily fixable. Sealing and insulating the "envelope" of your home — your outer walls, ceiling, windows, doors, and floors — provides the biggest bang for the buck. Properly air sealing cracks and openings in your home can significantly reduce heating and cooling costs, improve building durability, and create a healthier indoor environment.

3. Insulate your attic or roof – Proper insulation is a key component of an energy efficient home. Older homes are often under insulated, and many new homes can also benefit from improved insulation. Consider hiring an energy assessor who can examine your current insulation and suggest whether you should invest in this project.

4.  Lower your thermostat – The change of a few degrees is barely noticeable, but turning down your thermostat by just three degrees during the winter can save more than 15 percent off your total heating bill and a difference of five degrees can save up to 30 percent.

5. Weather strip windows and doors – Instead of replacing windows and doors to keep the cold out, consider weather stripping your windows and doors, which will prevent drafts.

6. Open your shades – Let the sun help heat your home for free. Also, consider using storm windows and remove window A/C units.

7. Change your furnace filters – The older your filters are, the harder your furnace works to do its job. An easy tip for remembering to change them is when the seasons change, change your filter. You will end up getting more heat for less money.

8. Lower the temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees – Water heaters require a lot of energy to get the water hot enough to use and to keep it hot. Each additional degree of heat requires more energy than the last. Bottom line - lowering your water heater temperature reduces the amount you spend on wasted energy.

9.  Consult an energy professional for big savings – Professional contractors can help you identify problems and recommend which improvements will give you the most cost savings and energy impact. For a list of certified contractors, visit www.theenergybills.org

10. Check out MyHomeEQ for a customized energy savings plan – Available at www.MyHomeEQ.com, this tool allows users to submit their address and home details to get  customized information on how much energy their home is using and what improvements can be make to enhance its energy efficiency.

Want to learn more about how to cut your energy costs and make your home more energy efficient? Check out www.TheEnergyBills.com for more energy savings tips and resources to make your upgrades.