Homeowners can save money by installing attic, window and door insulation, changing heater filters, varying their room heating methods, updating older features and equipment, and by maintaining and servicing the existing heaters. Using the features of the home such as doors, windows and drapes to their best advantage will help keep costs down. Consumers can also change personal habits that will lower the heating bill by choosing better options in clothing and bedding and by changing the thermostat settings.

Cold weather is approaching. Be prepared ahead of time. If you cannot do it yourself, have a heating professional check to make sure everything on your heater]and thermostat is working correctly, before you need it. You will have time to make any needed repairs and changes before it gets cold.

Start the cold weather season off with a new heater filter and if you are using the heater often, make sure you change the filter once a month. Clogged filters will make the heater work less efficiently.

Much like a car, a heater or thermostat may need a tune-up or repairs to work in the most efficient manner.

When it is time to buy a new heater, do your research and choose the heater carefully. It is an investment in your home and the environment. A wise purchase will help to keep your heating bills down.

Look for heaters with the Energy Star label. Energy Star heaters are designed to use less energy and cost you less when they run. They are as much as 15 % more efficient than a comparable heater without the Energy Star. That can add up to big savings over the years.

The same goes for buying a new thermostat. A programmable thermostat will turn the heater on only when you want it to be running. The heater will not run when you do not need it to and not waste energy.

Don’t crank up the thermostat to keep warm. Instead, bundle up in weather appropriate clothing. Keep your feet warm with socks or slippers. Wear long-sleeved shirts, sweaters or sweatshirts.

If you are sitting at a desk or in front of the television for long periods of time, throw on a blanket to keep warm. Get up periodically and move around during the day.

At bedtime, turn the thermostat down and bundle up in warm pajamas.Throw on an extra blanket instead of turning the heater up. Choose thicker bedding, quilts and comforters. Consider buying flannel sheets to use in colder weather.

You do not have to suffer and freeze, just dress and work with the heating bill in mind. Get other household members to do the same.

If the sun is shining, open the drapes and blinds. Let the natural heat help to keep the room warm. Then be sure to close them all up when the sun sets.

Keep doors shut in rooms that do not need to be kept heated. It will keep the heat in the rooms being used and cut down on the drafts across the house.

Learn how to insulate an attic, and insulate or repair broken windows. Replace older windows with newer double paned versions which keep the heat in and the cold out.

If you do not need to heat the whole house, use a space heater. The newer models are much more efficient. There are wall hanging models available that make them safer for use around children and pets.

Gas fireplaces come in attractive styles. They look like real fireplaces with mantles, but heat the room more efficiently. No air comes in or escapes through the chimney like a regular fireplace. If you move, you can take it with you so the investment is not lost. This is a nice feature for apartment dwellers and renters.

[[Wood stoves[[ offer another option. Pick one that is able to burn different types of fuel like wood pellets. These are increbibly efficient for heating a room.

A bonus to having a variety of heating options is not being so dependent on only one heater. During power outages and freak storms you will stay warm.