How do you keep you heating bills low in the winter?

Low energy lighting: Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs) use 80% less electricity than ordinary bulbs to produce comparable light - and they last 8 times as long. Attic Insulation and Draughtproofing: Up to one-third of heat loss in a home is through the roof. A 150mm (6") attic insulation can pay for itself in energy savings within 2 years. Up to 15% of heat escapes through badly fitting external doors and windows. Fitting draught excluders to eliminate draughts is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to reduce heat loss. Choose from self-adhesive foam strips, more durable metal and plastic strips and brush-like strips for the door. Hot water cylinder and Water Heating: Insulate your hot water cylinder with a thick lagging jacket (at least 80mm). Hot water pipes should also be lagged in order to conserve energy. The cost of lagging pipes and cylinder can be recouped within months. Saving hot water means saving energy and money. Take a shower instead of a bath. Use 'economy' programmes on your washing machine. Use 'cool wash' programmes for suitable fabrics Energy-efficient appliances and Energy Labelling: Modern appliances are designed to use less electricity than older models. Newer washing machines and dishwashers have 'economy' programmes. 'Jet spray' type washing machines use less water and therefore less electricity to heat. Energy labelling of all new laundry and refrigeration products is now obligatory. When you go shopping you will find energy information labels on all these appliances. The energy label allows you to compare how energy-efficient one model is against another. The range is from 'A' being the most efficient to 'G' being the least efficient. You will enjoy ongoing long-term savings by choosing the more energy-efficient model. Heating systems and heaters: A well designed heating installation should incorporate (a) thermostats which turn the heat off when the room is warm and (b) timers which switch bedroom heaters on and off at appropriate timer Double glazing: Double glazing reduces heat loss through windows and reduces condensation and noise. Consider double glazing when your windows need to be replaced. Curtains: Pull the curtains at night. Heavy lined curtains reduce heat loss through windows. Special interlining can be inserted between curtain and lining for extra insulation. Energy-efficient cooking and Appliances: Use an electric kettle to boil water for cooking instead of using the hob. Use a toaster instead of a grill. Avoid using the oven to cook one dish. Bake a few things at one time. A microwave oven provides an efficient way of thawing, reheating and cooking food. Energy is wasted if we don't switch appliances off when they are not in use. Switch lights off in rooms that are unoccupied. Switch off the TV or stereo when you are finished using it. Switch off or turn heater controls down when rooms are warm enough. Energy saving habits: It's obvious, but how many of us sit in over-heated homes and don't bother to turn the heat off. Reduce the settings of thermostats as the weather gets slightly warmer. It's only a matter of developing the habit.

I keep the thermostat turned down just a little bit, and wear extra clothing in the house. I have an automatic thermostat that I program to go down at night and when I leave the house; there's no sense heating the house when I'm not here. I am used to keeping it 2 degrees cooler and wearing a sweatshirt and warm fuzzy socks in the house. Invest in new windows if you need them. The new energy-saving windows will help a lot. Have your furnace inspected and cleaned every year to keep it running efficiently. If you have an old, inefficient furnace, consider making the investment in a new one; it's a lot of money upfront, but it will save you in the long-run. By the way, most companies who install new windows or furnaces have interest-free payment plans. Be sure that your furnace has a humidifier. If not, purchase a portable humidifier or even boil water on the stove to add moisture to the air. Added humidity makes it feel warmer in the house.

Make sure your house is well insulated, especially in the attic . We just put some in and it makes a huge difference. Otherwise, wear sweatshirts!