Tips to cut winter home energy bills

The Powerful $avings campaign, a joint effort of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Alliance to Save Energy, offers a variety of smart energy practices and energy-efficiency home improvements to fit every pocketbook, so consumers can reduce their home energy bills and the nation's overall energy use this winter.

• Test your home for air leaks. Ten percent or more can be saved on your energy bills by reducing the air leaks in your home. On a windy day, hold a lit candle next to windows, doors, electrical outlets and light fixtures. If the smoke travels horizontally, you have found an air leak that may need caulking, sealing or weather stripping. Also, tape clear plastic sheeting to the inside of window frames if drafts, water condensation or frost are present.
• Install a programmable thermostat. The energy savings will offset the cost of a basic unit in less than a year. Programming the thermostat from 72 degrees to 65 degrees for eight hours a day while no one is home, or while everyone is tucked in bed, will cut heating bills up to 10 percent.
• Properly maintain your heating system. Heating can account for almost half of the average family's winter energy bill. Make sure the furnace or heat pump receives professional maintenance each year. A heat pump can trim the amount of electricity used for heating by as much as 30 to 40 percent.
• Open curtains on south facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home, and close them at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.
• Check the insulation in the attic, ceilings, exterior and basement walls, floors and crawlspaces to see if it meets the levels recommended for your geographical area. Remember, abut one-third of air infiltrates the home through openings in ceilings, walls and floors. If your home is not adequately insulated, have additional insulation professionally installed. For information, visit www.simplyinsulate.org.
• Close fireplace dampers when not in use. A chimney is designed specifically for smoke to escape, so until you close it, warm air escapes, too - 24 hours a day.