I don’t have to tell any of you how much we are all trying to cut down our expenses during these tough economic times - eating out less,  vacations closer to home, fewer lattes,  and less spending on just about everything.  But here’s some great ideas on lowering your heating costs without giving up your comfort.  In fact, by incorporating some of these ideas you can actually increase your comfort AND save on your energy bills.

Seal air leaks and insulate.  Many air leaks and drafts are easy to find because they are easy to feel — like those around windows and doors. But holes hidden in attics, basements, and crawlspaces are usually bigger problems.   Sealing these leaks with caulk, spray foam, or weather stripping will have a great impact on improving your comfort and reducing utility bills.  The easiest place to add insulation is usually in the attic. A quick way to see if you need more insulation is to look across your uncovered attic floor. If your insulation is level with or below the attic floor joists, you probably need to add more insulation.

Upgrage your windows.  Most of the heat in your homes escape through the windows.  Installing energy efficient windows will help you save money on your heating and cooling costs in the long run and they reduce UV damage to interior fabrics.  Buying the right Energy Star windows can qualify you for an up to $1500 federal tax credit.

Seal your ducts.  If you have poorly performing ducts, your heating and air conditioning system could loose efficiency by a much as 20%.  Improve your ducts by sealing leaks and insulalting the ducts in attics and crawl spaces.  You should have your duct system checked by a professional contractor to ensure it is operating efficiently to deliver the right amount of conditioned air.

Programmable Thermostats.  These thermostats are recommended for those who are away from the home during certain periods of time throughout the week.    They can be programmed to be automatically  set for long periods of time such as during the day when no one is home and through the night.  Using them correctly could save you as much as $150 every year in energy costs.

Change your air filter regularly.  Check your filter every month, especially during heavy use months (winter and summer).  If the filter looks dirty after a month, change it.  The filter should be changed no less than every 3 months.

Tune up your HVAC.  A yearly tune-up of your heating and cooling system can improve efficiency and comfort. 

Replacing your system.  If your HVAC equipment is more than 10 years old or not keeping your house comfortable, have it evaluated by a professional HVAC contractor.  Depending on where you live, replacing your old heating and cooling equipment with ENERGY STAR qualified equipment can cut your annual energy bill by nearly $200. But before you invest in a new HVAC system, make sure that you have addressed the big air leaks in your house and the duct system. Sometimes, these are the real sources of problems rather than your HVAC equipment.  Replacing your system with the qualified unit could get you a federal tax rebate of up to $1500.

For more detailed information on energy efficiency, go to www.energystar.com