There are lots of ways to save on heating costs as we head into winter’s deepest freeze.  Here’s a collection of tips—old and new—to help keep energy bills under control.

Layer up:  One of the easiest ways to stay cozy is also the most stylish—pop on a sweater.  Cardigan, cable-knit, or covered in Christmas kittens…any layer will do to help you feel cozy and comfortable even with the heat turned down.  Just don’t turn it off completely, even—or especially—if you’ll be away from home.  Keeping the heat running on a low setting can prevent frozen pipes, and can stop extra-cold rooms from drawing heat away from warmer parts of the house.

Change your filter:  If you didn’t check your filter during the holidays, or if it was starting to get full with dust, dander, or other particles, make sure it’s clean and replace it if needed.  Debris in a heater’s filter can reduce efficiency, causing it to work harder and burn more fuel to generate heat, all of which leads to higher heating bills.

Give ‘em a spin:  Ceiling fans in winter?  Absolutely—just be sure to flip the direction switch. In the winter, run the fans at low speed to create an updraft—usually clockwise. This creates a gentle convection cycle that circulates warm air instead of letting it collect near the ceiling.

Think pink: Insulation may not be the most exciting thing to spend money on when you’d rather escape to the Caribbean, but according to the EPA, you can save up to 15% on heating—and cooling—costs with a properly insulated attic.

Don’t share: Everyone wants to be a good neighbor, but letting heat escape through poorly-sealed doors and windows doesn’t help anyone.  Feel for drafts, make necessary repairs or replacements, and consider adding storm windows or temporary plastic overlays to keep warm air inside where it belongs.

For more money-saving tips like these, and energy-saving HVAC service plans, visit MJ Heating and Air Conditioning at mjheatingac.com.