There are many simple and no/low cost things you can do to reduce your heating bills. Here are five things everyone can get started with: 1. Thermostat setbacks are easy and reduce heating bills. A thermostat setback refers to when the person living in a home turns down the heat for certain periods of time to save money on heating costs - this can be done manually or automatically using a programmable thermostat. Generally, people turn the heat down at night (when they are sleeping), or during the day (when they plan to be gone for up to eight hours). According to the U.S. Department of Energy, if your furnace is a hot air system, you can save about 5 percent to 15 percent per year on your heating bill by turning your thermostat back 10 to 15 degrees for eight hours. That’s a savings of as much as 1 percent for each degree if the setback period is eight hours long. 2. Change your incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs. 3. Hang insulated blinds or drapes over the windows during cold nights. Windows generally have low insulation values compared to walls. By hanging insulated window treatments, you can reduce the amount of heat transfer, which will reduce heating bills. In addition, let the sun heat your house for free. Make sure to open blinds or drapes on the sunny side of the house to allow the sun to heat the home. When the sun goes down, close the drapes to retain the heat. It is surprising how much heat the sun can add to a home. 4. Inexpensive fixes for a home include such things as caulking and weather-stripping around doors and windows, expanding foam to seal holes and gaps around plumbing or other wall penetrations, and outlet gaskets behind the cover plates of electricial switches and outlets. These air-sealing products do not cost very much and can make a difference on heating and cooling. 5. Hot water heating costs can be reduced through simple conservation measures. A water heater setting of 120 degrees F is hot enough for most families. A water-saving shower head can save energy since less water is used. If you are away for more than a week, turn down your hot water heater to low or vacation setting. If your hot water faucets are dripping, have them repaired immediately.

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