If you are like the majority of Americans, this year, you are doing as much as you can to reduce your energy expense.  So many are strictly enforcing rules about turning lights off when leaving rooms, shutting doors to keep heat trapped in the desired space, and wearing layers in order to keep the home cooler.  If this sounds familiar, then you are definitely not alone.  Saving money on heating bills is something millions are focused on these days. But, if you have noticed that your efforts are doing little to help the cause, and you are struggling to cover the cost of heating your home, then you may want to consider some of the following tips:

• Turn your temperature set points down in the evening. There is a bit of a dispute about how much this can save a homeowner, but as long as you are not creating too much of a gap that must be overcome by the heating system in the morning, you can see real savings.  Typically, it is recommended that you turn it down by approximately five degrees at night.  The system won’t have to work as hard overnight to maintain the space, and it also won’t have to be overburdened to raise the temperature up five degrees when you awake.
• Be selective about which curtains you open. South-facing windows can provide a lot of heat to your space on sunny days. The same is for windows on the east-facing side of the house in the morning, and west-facing windows in the afternoon.  Meanwhile, you can benefit from the added layer of insulation against the cold in north-facing windows.
• Close the fireplace dampers. Fireplaces are wonderful for adding additional heat to a space.  They can cover a lot of ground, which means that the HVAC system doesn’t have to work so hard to maintain a comfortable temperature.  However, the very same fireplace can cost you a great deal if you forget to close the damper after putting the fire out.
• Don’t turn your fans off. Ceiling fans can be just as useful in the winter as they are in the summer.  Heat rises, so use the fans to push it away from the ceiling and back into the area of the room that you actually occupy.
• Discuss heating system upgrades with your HVAC technician. Some sensors and controls can greatly improve the efficiency of existing systems, and they are very affordable.  For a small upfront investment, you can really cut your monthly expenses.