I didn't want to cover this topic yet, but I'm afraid it has become necessary--snow has fallen, so it is time to discuss how to save energy this winter. Forty-five precent of the average energy bill goes to heating and cooling our homes, emitting 150 million tons of carbon dioxide in the process, according to the Department of Energy. Turning down the thermostat 5° could save up to 10% on those bills. Energy Star recommends setting your thermostat at 68° while awake and at home, and 60° while asleep or away from home (programmable thermostats are the easiest and most recommended way to achieve this and could save you more than $100 a year).

One way to prevent heat leakage is to make sure your heating system is working as efficiently as possible. This means sealing your ducts, cleaning and replacing your filters regularly, having a professional check your equipment, and possibly replacing it altogether if it is more than fifteen years old. An estimated 10-30% of the energy being used to heat a home leaks out through duct surfaces. The heating system must then compensate for this loss by working harder, using more energy, and costing you more money. To reduce or eliminate this leakage, begin with ducts located in attics, crawlspaces, garages, and unfinished basements, as these areas are most likely to be sources of heat loss. Then proceed through the rest of the house. If sealing the ducts yourself, simply purchase duct sealant or metal-backed tape and seal the seams and connections or wrap them in insulation. Several do-it-yourself guides for sealing your home are available at energystar.gov.

Windows and doors should be another important target of your heat-saving efforts. If you have south-facing windows, you can open your curtains or blinds during the day to let in heat from the sunlight, then close them at night. Also, you can use caulk to seal any drafts coming in through the windows, or cover them with plastic (kits are readily available at many stores). If you have blinds or thin curtains, consider switching to heavier drapes for the winter, as these will help block any drafts you do have. Similarly, weather-stripping your doors can help keep in heat and keep out the cold.

Aside from these methods, you can also install slow-moving fans to circulate heat, insulate your water heater (consult a professional heating contractor, as this is not always recommended), reduce your usage of exhaust fans to a minimum, and move furniture and carpets away from vents. Additionally, the Department of Energy suggests that those with radiators put up simple reflectors against exterior walls in order to catch and repel the heat that is propelled in that direction. This will help to effectively use the heat normally trapped between the wall and the radiator.

According to Home Depot's Eco Options webpage, if the average home reduced their energy consumption by 15% (possible by following all of these guidelines), they would be saving 500 pounds of coal from being burned. But I imagine to most homeowners the more important statistic is that nearly half of the average $1,900 energy bill faced by the typical home is spent on heating and cooling. And that by turning down or programming the thermostat, sealing windows, and other simple steps, you could save a great deal of that money!!