During winter, home heating can account for as much as 60 percent of your energy costs. Lower these costs by following these simple energy tips.  
Heating

• Install a programmable thermostat that will automatically lower your heat at night and when no one is home. They cost about $25 and will lead to instant savings in energy bills. 

• Keep furniture away from radiators and heating registers where they can block heat from entering the room. 

• Make sure your furnace receives a professional tune-up each year and replace the furnace air filter once a month. 

• Keep your blinds and curtains open during the day to let the sun in and naturally heat up your home and close them at night. 

• Place insulation wrap around your hot water heater. 

Weatherizing 

• If you can slide a playing card through the crevice of an outside door or window, you need more weatherstripping. 

• Kitchen and dryer vents are often poorly sealed where they pass through walls or ceilings. Use heat-resistant caulking and metal collar plates to fix faulty seals. 

• If you have a fireplace, install glass doors and close the damper to keep heated air from escaping up the chimney. 

• Place plastic-seal wrap around old or drafty windows. 

• Use door sweeps to prevent unnecessary drafts. 

• Insulate your attic or other areas that may be poorly insulated.