How To Reduce Your Home Heating Costs

Get your furnace tuned up before winter sets in. Doing this annually will keep your furnace running efficiently.

Install a programmable thermostat so you can lower the heat when no one is home and at night while everyone is sleeping.

Close curtains and quilted blinds at night to help keep heat from escaping through windows. Open them during the day to let in the sun’s warmth.

Use a boiler blanket and pipe insulation to keep heat inside the heating system where it belongs. Before using a blanket, consult your owner’s manual—make sure the blanket you plan to use is safe for your boiler.

Look into your utility company’s efficiency programs. Many will pay for programmable thermostats and some even subsidize roof insulation.

Hold a piece of toilet paper near windows and door frames to check for drafts. Sealing cracks with weather stripping can save big bucks.

Review the outside of your home for cracks that are draining heat and caulk them.

Keep baseboard heaters and radiators clean and make sure your furniture and curtains are not blocking the vents.

Since pioneer times many a family has found warmth by gathering around a stove in winter. If you live in a big house, try sealing off little used rooms and/or an entire wing when the snow flies.