It’s that time of year again! The winds are whipping, the snow is blowing, and the heating bills are climbing! Each year Americans spend an average of $1,900 on energy costs. Half of that amount is spent on heating and cooling, a quarter on lighting and appliances, and the remainder on electronics such as computers, TVs and cell phone chargers. Here are a few tips from Energy Star to help you reduce your energy costs this winter:

 

• Weatherstrip doors and windows that don't seal tightly. • Replace your furnace's air filter. A dirty filter reduces air flow. • Set back your thermostat when you're asleep or away. A programmable thermostat can save you $100 per year. • Replace your five most-used lightbulbs with Energy Star or compact fluorescent bulbs and save $60/year. • Turn off your computer/electronics when not in use. • Unplug battery chargers and adapters when charging is complete. • Use your ceiling fan. Reverse the spin of the fan and set it on the lowest speed to send warm air down to the living area. • Open window shades during sunny days but close them at night to protect against heat loss. • Set your hot water temperature at the normal setting of 120 degrees. Insulate your water heater and hot water pipes. • Keep warm air registers free from furniture, drapes and other items.

By using these tips you should be able to trim your energy bill. Be creative in thinking of other ways to decrease your energy use to further your savings!