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Keeping your home warm in the winter shouldn't leave you broke. Use these 15 tips to save on heating costs.

• 01of 15

  Dress for Cold Weather

  

  Dress in layers; slap a pair of slippers on your feet, and add a hat to complete your "stay warm" ensemble.

• 02of 15

  Decorate for Warmth

  

  When it's cold outside, nothing says money in the bank like a house that's blinged out in warm accessories. Put flannel sheets on your bed, rugs on your floors, insulated curtains in your windows, and warm blankets on your sofa.

• 03of 15

  Take Advantage of Free Solar Heating

  

  Open curtains during the day to allow the sun to warm your home and close curtains at night to trap in the heat.

• 04of 15

  Minimize the Use of Kitchen and Bathroom Fans

  

  Fans suck out undesirable smells, but they also suck out a lot of hot air.

• 05of 15

  Change Your Filter Regularly

  

  A dirty filter makes your furnace/heat pump work harder and leads to super scary numbers on your heating bill. Aim to swap yours out once a month.

• 06of 15

  Get Those Ceiling Fans Going

  

  Hot air rises, so run your ceiling fan in reverse to bring it back down to floor level.

• 07of 15

  Turn Down the Thermostat

  

  A couple of degrees cooler when you're away or asleep can make a big difference on your heating bill (without any sacrifice from you).

  Tip: Get a programmable thermostat, and let it make the adjustments for you.

• 08of 15

  Get an Energy Audit

  

  You won't find many doctors that make house calls these days, but you'll still find plenty of energy auditors that do. Schedule an energy audit for your home (many utility companies offer them for free or a small fee), and find out where you could improve the efficiency of your home.

• 09of 15

  Insulate and Add Extra Insulation

  

  Plug your zip code into the Department of Energy's insulation tool to find out how much insulation your home needs. Then, beef up your existing insulation as needed.

• 10of 15

  Give Vents the All Clear

  

  Move all furniture and belongings away from your heating vents, so they can deliver all that heat that you're paying for.

• 11of 15

  Don't Let the Fireplace Put a Damper on Your Savings Efforts

  

  Keep the damper closed when your fireplace isn't in use to prevent all that snuggly warm air from making a quick exit.

• 12of 15

  Get a Tune-Up

  

  Keep your furnace or heat pump running at peak performance by having it tuned up by a professional once a year. It's a small expense that could lead to big savings.

• 13of 15

  Dress Your Ducts

  

  Heat loss happens to good people. Wrap those ducts tight to make sure it doesn't happen to you.

• 14of 15

  Kick That Old Unit to the Curb

  

  Breakups are never easy, but if you've been with your heating unit for a long time, it may be time to put an end to the relationship.

  • 15of 15

    Wrangle for a Better Rate

    

    Do you feel like you're paying too much for electricity, gas, or oil? Then, shop around for a better rate. As long as you live in a deregulated state, there's plenty of room to negotiate.
    
    Written by 
    Erin Huffstetler
    ​​​​​​​the spruce