Sure-fire ways to save on heating bills

"It's getting cold out in most regions of the United States. That means it's time to turn on the heat.

 

This fall and winter you should try staying warm without also having a hot energy bill.

Excuse the pun, but there are some sure-fire ways you can save energy while maintaining your comfort, no matter how old your home is.

The average American household spends over $500 a year on heating, but this doesn't have to be the case. By paying attention to your building's envelope, your heating system, and your behavior, you'll be well on your way to saving dollars and carbon.

Sealing the envelope

Your home's envelope (the walls, windows, doors, foundation, roof, attic, etc.) matters a lot when it comes to heating.

Leaky envelopes mean cold outside air can easily seep inside and hot inside air can seep outside. Warming this inflow of cold air can account for 25 to 40 percent of the load on your heating system.

To improve your envelope, try:Discovering where your leaks are. A professional can administer a "blower door test" to find out where envelope leaks originate. For an inexpensive option, try holding incense near places where different materials meet, such as window frames and where the walls meet the floor. Watch where the smoke disappears to find gaps.

Caulking and weather-stripping cracks and holes. These materials can be found at any hardware store, and a store expert can guide you to the best materials for your needs.

Plastic-wrapping your windows. Not the kind that covers your leftovers, but a shrink-wrap version that stretches over window glass and frames to seal warm air in and cold air out.

Using door snakes. Less scary than they sound, door snakes can block air from traveling under your doorjambs. Try the traditional fabric-filled kind or rubber versions sold in hardware stores throughout the country.