Five Ways To Slash Your Heating Bills

Heating costs are expected to rise anywhere from three to eight percent this winter, depending upon the type of fuel you use. And that's why it’s time to start looking at your home with a critical eye.

For expert advice at conserving energy, I turned to Jonathan Nadle, who does home energy audits for Conservation Consultants.

Number 1: Insulation. Nadle told me a little fix here or there can go a long way when it comes to heating your home, but the most important thing, that will save you more than anything else is insulation.

"Typically if you have a home that is totally un-insulated and you properly insulate the exterior walls and the attic, you could see a 20-30 percent reduction in your gas bill," said Nadle.

Let’s put that in real numbers. For most homeowners that's a savings of $60-$100 a month. Hiring a crew to install new insulation is a big expenditure, but your home will be less drafty and you could get a $500 tax credit.

Number 2: Tune Up The Furnace. Nadle told me your furnace should be professionally maintained every one to two years and should be inspected by you for problems like soot or dirt annually. The air filter needs to be changed every one to three months, depending upon the type of filter.

"I've gone into homes doing audits and I'll ask people, when was that last time you changed your filter? And they'll say, 'what's that?’"

Number 3: Seal Drafty Windows. If you can afford new energy efficient windows, that's fantastic, because they’ll cut your heating costs. If you can't afford new windows, just make sure they're sealed with a good bead of caulk and they're shut tight.

"I go into a lot of homes in the winter where people have their windows just shut, but not latched," said Nadle.

Number 4: Replace Drafty Old Doors. Consider replacing drafty old doors with new energy efficient doors that will qualify for a $500 tax credit. If now is not a good time to replace your doors, then make sure they’re sealed with weather stripping, which is relatively inexpensive, so they're air-tight.

"At the bottom of the door is a triple rubber sweep that meets the threshold and makes a nice tight air seal at the bottom of the door," said Nadle.

Number 5: Install Programmable Thermostat. Manually raising and lowering the temperature will save money as well, but it’s easy to forget to lower the temperature when you’re rushing off to work. A programmable thermostat makes saving money easy, because you set it once and forget it. Nadle suggests setting the temperature in the low 60s when you're away and at night and closer 70 when you're at home.

If you have an empty room you're not using, close the vents and shut the door, so you're not wasting energy heating a room you’re not using.

As for the energy tax credits, they're not as good as they were last year when you could save $1,500, but they're still better than nothing. The maximum tax credit this year is $500 no matter how many home improvements you make.