Looking for ways to conserve heat and energy this winter? Here are our top tips to help you save money on your electricity bill.

1. Invest in a space heater.

Space heaters can be more efficient than modern heating units. If you have a smaller room to heat, a smaller space heater will save you money and energy.

2. Maintain your HVAC unit.

Proper airflow is critical to the efficiency of your heating and cooling system. A simple maintenance step, often forgotten, is to clean or replace your air filters. An annual tune-up of your heating is also a great habit to start at the beginning of each winter season.

3. Take advantage of your programmable or smart thermostat.

When you are home and awake, set the thermostat to a comfortable temperature. When you are asleep or out, set your thermostat back about 7°to 10°F for 8 hours a day. According to the Department of Energy, if you do this all year long you can save up to 10% a year on heating and cooling.

4. Take advantage of natural heat.

On sunny days, open the curtains and/or blinds on your south-facing windows to allow the sunlight to naturally heat your home. Close them during the evening to reduce the opposite effect.

5. Apply plastic wrap and tape to the inside of your draftier windows.

This helps reduce infiltration of the cooler air and prevents heated air from escaping.

6. Double-check your fireplace. (if you have one).

There is a damper in the fireplace that lets the smoke out of your house when you light it. Double-check it to make sure it’s sealed when you aren’t using it to prevent your warm air from escaping your home.

7. Switch the direction of your fan blades on your ceiling fan.

For the colder months, your fan should run in reverse (clockwise) at a low speed. This will gently draw the room air up towards the ceiling and force the warm air down and out towards the walls.