Ah yes, Decemburrrrrrr in Wisconsin. Many of us would like to turn up the heat but are afraid of the effect it’ll have on our bills at the end of the month.

Fortunately, there are ways to save money on heating this winter without breaking the bank. All it takes is a few changes to your home and lifestyle, and your house will stay warm and toasty.

How to Save on Your Heating Bill This Winter – 5 Easy Tips

1) Let the Sun In

While it’ll cost you to turn up the heat a few degrees, the sun’s heat is free! Just by opening the curtains every morning, you can keep your home warm and also light it with natural sunlight. After sundown, close the curtains to keep the heat trapped inside.

2) Eliminate Drafts

You’ll be spending more energy on heating the house if you let the heat escape. Find places in your house that might be letting cold air in. Worn weatherstripping around doors and windows can let drafts in. Electrical boxes on the exterior do the same. Replace worn weatherstripping on doors and remove the electrical boxes’ cover plates and fill in the gaps with acrylic latex caulk to fix leaks.

3) Turn the Heat Down at Night and When You’re Not Home

Invest in warm blankets and comforters, and turn the heat down at night. Turning the heat down 7-10° F for 8 hours a day will save you 10% a year on your heating bills. Turning down the heat while you’re away will also save energy. Speaking of warm blankets – – we have plenty of cozy blankets in all the bedrooms & a whole basket full in the living-room.

4) Clean Your Fireplace and Furnace

Keeping your fireplace and furnace clean will increase the heat they emit. If you haven’t replaced your furnace filters recently, the furnace will be working harder and using more energy to keep the house warm.

5) Don’t Heat Rooms You Don’t Use

Heating rooms you don’t use, such as large storage rooms and guest rooms, is a waste of energy. A simple way to keep your heating bills down is to seal off the vents in the rooms you don’t use. We have two spare bedrooms that we keep the doors shut and vents closed and we close the vents and pocket door to the living room when we are not using it.

These tips are simple, but they can make a huge difference on your heating bills and help the environment. Implement these tips in your home today, and save money this winter.