There are several low cost things you can do to lower your energy costs.
Adjust your heating thermostat to 68 degrees or lower. When you're away during the day or at night, set it back an additional 6-10 degrees.
Turn off lights when they are not being used, and disconnect appliances that are unnecessary, or when not in use.
Make sure your furnace air intakes, vent registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators are free from dust. It only takes a little dust to alter air flow to and from the heating and cooling system.
Keep furniture, draperies, and other household items away from vents, baseboard heaters, and radiators. If young children are in the home, watch for toys, clothes, etc., being stashed in vents.
Placing a sheet of non-flammable reflective material (e.g. aluminum foil) behind radiators will reflect heat back into the room.
Clean or replace furnace filter each month in the heating and cooling seasons.
In the winter, keep the window shades, blinds, or curtains open during the day to let the heat in, and keep them closed during the hot months to help keep the heat out.
Watch for hot water leaks and drips, and have them repaired immediately.
Lay towels at the threshold of exterior doors to reduce drafts.
Purchase and install disposable storm window kits. These kits are simple to apply and generally cost only a few dollars per window.
Plug cracks around windows and doors with removable rope caulking. This type of caulking does not require special tools and leftovers can be used later when you find additional air leaks.
