Cut your heating costs in half

We spent an average of $ 661 on our heating bill last year! To the rescue: easy tips that’ll keep you warm and prevent costs from soaring this winter

Make savings automatic by setting it and forgetting it

A programmable thermostat, widely available in home-improvement stores, can save you about $180 per year on heating and cooling costs. “Lowering your thermostat by just one or two degrees can slash your heating bill by 5%,” confirms home-improvement pro Danny Lipford. And consider lowering the temperature about 10° when you know you’ll be out of the house for eight or more hours to save up to 15% on your energy bills, per the U.S. Department of Energy.

Warm the air with a slow fan

Since hot air rises, adjust your ceiling fan so it rotates in reverse, turning clockwise and pushing warm air downward, says energy expert Michael Bluejay (Michaelbluejay.com/ electricity). Most ceiling fans have a toggle switch on the motor housing. “Just keep your fan on low so it doesn’t blow the air past you so fast that it creates a windchill.”

Insulate your home with curtain smarts

Curtains act as an extra layer of insulation around your windows, where more than 50% of heat escapes. “Dark fabric absorbs infrared radiation from the sun and conducts more heat, making your house warmer,” notes Gifford. Rather than buy pricey, thick curtains, just insulate your current ones: Get some double-stick tape and Velcro, and attach a piece of fabric such as fleece to the side of the curtain facing toward the window— no sewing required and easy to remove come spring!

Stay cozy for pennies with this hidden ‘ humidifier’

The more water in the air, the warmer you’ll feel.

“Adding humidity is an inexpensive way to make you more comfortable,” confirms energy efficiency pro Henry Gifford, author of Buildings Don’t Lie. The cheapest “humidifier”? Your slow cooker! Just fill it with water with the lid off and set on low— it makes the air moister while using only 10 cents worth of electricity for eight hours.

Plug sneaky ‘leaks’ with a water-heater cozy

Insulating your hot-water heater can reduce its heat loss by 40% and slash your annual bill by up to 16%. How to tell if your heater needs insulation? “It should feel cool to the touch,” says energy expert Jeff Rogers. If it doesn’t, pick up a hot-water-heater blanket at a home-improvement store. Also: “Your water heater should be set at 130°F— any hotter will drive up your bill.”