According to the U.S. Department of Energy, approximately 43 percent of your utility bill goes toward heating and cooling.  In these cold winter months, you are likely seeing this statistic realized.  The good news is there are a few ways to trim your heating consumption so you won’t get the chills when you open your next bill.
 
· Purchase a programmable thermostat.   This product automatically turns down the heat at night or when you are not at home, saving you approximately 10 percent a year.  Set your thermostat as low as is comfortable and instead wear warmer clothing and make use of additional blankets.

· Clean.  Make sure that you clean or replace filters on furnaces as needed.  In addition, clean warm-air registers throughout your home, baseboard heaters and radiators.  Also, double check they are not blocked by furniture, drapes or any other obstruction.

· Conserve.  Close off access to registers in rooms that are not frequented.  If you only use your spare bedroom when guests visit, you can avoid pumping warm air into an under-utilized space.

· Insulate.  Up to 60 percent of warm air can be lost even before it reaches the register if your ducts are not insulated.  The ducts in your attic and crawlspaces should be sealed, otherwise, both money and energy will be wasted.

· Go Green.  If you are in a situation where it’s necessary to install new equipment altogether, make sure to select energy efficient products.  They will cost more upfront, but the lifelong costs will be smaller and you will decrease your energy “footprint.”

Staying warm, savvy and green are all possible with these tips, making energy bills a little more palatable in winter when heating your home is a necessity.