As the leaves begin to turn and cold evenings drift in, heating costs may have entered your mind. Fall is the perfect time to make improvements to save on heating bills this winter. Some of these might be larger projects, while others you can do in a few hours. Go through these tips to save on your heating bill this winter, and see which ones make sense for you.

1. Get an Energy Audit 

If your home heating bills are high, it can be difficult to know where to start. Many local utilities as well as private businesses offer energy audit services to give you a better idea of what improvements offer the best return on investment. Consumers Energy, for example, offers a home energy analysis program to give you an expert opinion on where you can reduce all energy costs, not just your heating bill.

2. Look for Rebates

If you’re considering taking on bigger projects to save on your heating bills this winter, rebates can help reduce the upfront costs. Many utilities offer rebate search services, such as these home energy rebates from Lansing’s Board of Water and Light. This way, you’ll benefit from lower heating bills in the winter while also reducing the costs of energy improvements themselves.

3. Insulate the Attic

When it comes to reducing heating bills in the winter, many people go straight for windows and doors. While this is an area of heat loss, it’s usually not the primary area of heat loss. Since heat rises and since your roof and attic have much more surface area than your windows and doors, most heat loss occurs through your attic and roof.

We all know that heat rises, which is why higher spaces in your home are generally warmer. As you might expect, the warm air doesn’t just park in your attic, though. The process of convection causes it to rise, and then radiation and conduction causes it to escape through the roof, windows, and walls. While it’s impossible to completely stop this from happening, insulating your attic can help to reduce the effect. You might be able to do this yourself, or you might want to hire a contractor.

4. Upgrade Windows 

While attics are responsible for a majority of heat loss, windows are also a culprit, especially in older homes. If your windows are single pane, they’ll lose heat through radiation faster. Double-pane windows, as the name implies, use two panes of glass, with an insulating layer in between. Upgrading to double-pane windows is a significant investment, but it will significantly save on heating bills, and help to lower cooling costs in the summer.

If you have double-pane windows, but you still feel drafts, consider adding weather stripping. If you’re not sure exactly where the draft around your window is coming from, there are two easy tests you can try. First, close the window on a dollar bill or a piece of paper. If the paper is stuck, your seal is tight. If you can move it easily out, your seal is worn-out. If you suspect the glazing around the window is worn-out, use a smoke test. Light an incense stick, hold it near the window, and see how the smoke moves to track a draft.

5. Seal Windows 

If you’re not ready for a full-scale window overhaul, you can add an extra layer of sealing yourself. Clear plastic insulation is made to go over your windows in the winter, and you can install many types of this yourself. Some types stick on, other types require heat, such as a hair dryer, to fit tightly to the window. Make sure those unexpected fall heat waves are over before you start this project, since you won’t be able to open the windows again until you take the plastic off in the spring.

6. Turn Down Thermostat

This is a pretty obvious way to save on heating bills, but it’s easy to underestimate the difference it can make. The Department of Energy estimates a 1% heating bill savings for every 1 degree you lower your thermostat in the winter. This doesn’t mean that you need to wear two pairs of socks all winter long, though. Lowering your thermostat 5 or 10 degrees during the eight or ten hours when no one is home can add up to significant savings. You might also lower your thermostat while you sleep. With about 16 to 18 hours of significantly lowered heating costs, you can feel better about keeping your house warmer while you’re there.

If you’re tired of coming home to or waking up in a cold house, consider installing a programmable thermostat. Many models now allow you to set timers, so you can start warming up the house an hour before you get home or wake up.

7. Update or Tune Up Furnace

You can save on heating bills by reducing the heat escaping from your home, or by improving the efficiency of the heat source itself. If your furnace hasn’t been updated in over ten years, consider making a replacement. Scheduling a tune-up in fall can also help your furnace stay at full efficiency. This might also reveal any problems that could cause a shut-down in the winter. Finally, replace your air filter. A dirty air filter will make your furnace work harder than it needs to.

8. Reverse Ceiling Fans 

In the summertime, ceiling fans should spin counter-clockwise at a high speed. In the wintertime, switch this; run fans clockwise at a low speed. You can usually reverse the fan’s direction using a small switch on the side. Blowing air around to stay warm may seem counter-intuitive, but this interrupts the process of convection. As warm air rises, the slow, clockwise ceiling fan essentially pushes it back down around the edges, and pulls cold air up, without creating a strong current. In summertime, a fast, counter-clockwise fan keeps cold air down by creating a strong downdraft at the center.

9. Insulate Ducts

Heating ducts move warm air throughout your home, but they won’t do this efficiently if they’re not well insulated. Add insulation around ducts and seal any leaks on or around the ducts themselves. This will help warm air move along its intended path with minimal heat loss.

With some tips to save on heating bills this winter, hopefully the cold season doesn’t seem quite so intimidating. Plan out home improvements you can tackle this fall and you’ll be ready for a snug and cozy winter.

As a homeowner you need to pay attention to maintaining and protecting your investment. Your electrical, water, gas and A/C systems may be working fine for now, but sooner or later, you can expect a major repair or replacement expense. All you need to do is be prepared.

Review your inspection report from when you purchase the home so you’ll be able to gauge how much life is left in your appliances and systems. If you know that your A/C unit is 10 years old and the life expectancy is seven to 15 years, you have the heads up to prepare for a major repair or replacement soon.

Review your homeowner’s insurance. How much is your deductible? That’s the amount you’re responsible for when you use your insurance for an expense like a hail-damaged roof. The higher the deductible, the more money you should set aside, just in case.

Build reserves. Many repairs or replacement costs won’t be covered by hazard insurance, so reserves are your rainy day fund. This money you’ve saved or set aside should be quickly and easily accessible through a savings account or a short-term certificate of deposit.

Set aside an emergency-only credit card. Keep one credit card at zero or a low balance so you’ll have a back-up source for payments.

Something goes wrong with the air conditioner or the toilet clogs when you least expect it. Unless you’re Mr. or Ms. Fixit, you’ll have to go to the expense of calling a plumber, electrician or appliance expert to solve the problem. Unless a part has worn out, pilot error (that’s you or someone in the household) caused the malfunction.

Appliances and fixtures can be temperamental because they’re only designed to work under certain conditions, so take time to learn a little about how each product functions. Even if you don’t think you’re handy, you can do a little preventive maintenance and quick fix to handle minor problems.

To extend the life of your appliances and systems, here are 10 helpful suggestions:

• Keep all booklets, warranties and operating instructions for every system and appliance in one convenient place.
• Follow suggested scheduled maintenance, such as bi-annual checkups for air condition systems.
• Keep supplies on hand – a plunger, drain cleaner, filters, etc.
• Change heating and air filters once a month.
• Clothes need room to tumble to get clean, so don’t overload washers.
• Empty dryer filters with every load.
• Don’t put potato peelings, fibrous vegetables such as celery, cooking oil or grease down any drain or disposal.
• Run water before during and after using the disposal.
• Put a mesh trap in your shower drain to catch hair and soap buildup.
• Paper towels, Kleenex, baby wipes and cat litter can quickly clog a toilet, even if the box says the contents are safe to flush.

Whether you’re a homebuyer or seller, a home warranty can give you peace of mind. Also known as a home service contract, the home warranty typically covers mechanical systems and built-in appliances in the home.

Not to be confused with homeowner’s insurance, which covers damage from external forces, home warranties are designed to fill the gap between the original manufacturer’s warranty and normal wear and tear.

Here’s how it works. If your AC goes out, or your dishwasher breaks, you contact the home service company and describe the problem. The dispatcher will send the appropriate licensed plumber, electrician, or appliance repair specialist to service the call. Expect to pay a service fee of about $50 or higher for each visit.

Remember that home warranties don’t provide blanket service. They don’t cover repairs or replacement for pre-existing conditions or for elderly mechanicals that are beyond their useful lifespan. But they are good for emergencies if your toddler clogs the toilet trying to “wash” his teddy bear.

For home sellers, home service contracts improve the home’s marketability to homebuyers and diminishes liability. For buyers, warranties can absorb the costs of unexpected repairs or replacements. Extended coverage for non-built-ins such as clothes washers, dryers, and stand-alone refrigerators is usually available.

When you think about the wide range of systems and appliances that it takes to operate your home, a home service contract may be a bargain at approximately $400 to $500 and could pay for itself with one use.

As we enter into the shorter daylight hours of fall and winter, landscape lighting is one of the best ways to make your home safer and more appealing.  You can highlight your home’s best features and light an unfamiliar pathway to your entry for guests.

• Step back from your home so you can see the whole house and yard in daylight and at night.
• Do you have elegant brickwork, bay windows or a patio to showcase?
• Are there fountains, pools or other features you’d like to show at night? Is your home beautifully landscaped?  Are there trees or plantings you’d like to shower with attention?
• How well-lit are your doors, pathways, steps and parking from the street?

One benefit of pathway lighting is that it can radiate several feet.  You can install solar-powered walkway lamps that are attractive and affordable.

Spot lights can be put low on the ground or high on a wall, or they can hang from the eaves of your home to focus on specific features.  Each light provides unique shadows and can bring architectural and landscaping features center stage.

On the ground, install flood lights that shoot light up against your home, bushes or trees. Motion detectors can flood the area with light which discourages pests.

Outdoor lighting can make your home more attractive at night, but it can also make your home more attractive to future homebuyers, as a beauty and safety feature.   And that’s always a good investment.

Winterizing your home is one of the best ways to get comfortable and save energy costs. It’s not too late to get a few projects done before the holidays, so here’s a short weekend list of to-dos to help you.

Check the furnace. Typically, a heating system has a heat/cooling source, distribution system, and thermostat, so there is plenty of room for error. Make sure that your system is properly inspected and cleaned and has fresh filters according to maintenance directions. Call a master certified plumber to look for potential dangers such as carbon monoxide leaks.

Check detectors. Since you’ll be indoors more, it makes sense to also check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Smoke detectors with a UL rating have a useful life of 10 years so don’t just push the button to see if it’s working.  Stick a real flame source, such as a candle or a match, to see if the detector can actually pick up on the smoke being emitted.

Check insulation. Energy leaks put a hole in your wallet, so do your best to identify and seal all leaks in your ceiling/attic and cracks in or around your windows and doors. A quick way to check if you have enough insulation is to go into your attic and look at your rafters-if you can see ceiling joists you can add some more insulation. Though this will be an expensive process, your heating costs will drop right away.

According to EnergyStar.gov, the average American household spends more than $2,200 a year on energy bills, with nearly half of that amount spent on heating and cooling. Here are six easy, low-cost ideas to cut those bills down.

1. Change your air filters. It’s a chore that’s easily forgotten, so put it on your calendar every one month to three months. Dirty filters slow air flow causing your heat and air conditioning units to work harder and break down faster.

2. Wash clothes in cold water. This one’s a surprise, but energystar.gov claims that cold water saves energy and can be just as effective as hot. For dark, bright colors that bleed or delicate fabrics, use cold water (80°F). For man-made fibers, knits and jeans, use warm water (90°F). For whites, typical dirty clothes and diapers, hot water (130°F or above) is best to remove germs and heavy soil.

3. Seal and insulate your heating and cooling ducts. Air ducts can waste energy, so sealing and insulation can save as much as 20 percent on our energy bill or more.

4. Seal windows and outside doors. All it takes is a little caulk and you can stop small leaks that add up to big money. Test for leaks on a windy day by lighting a candle and holding it near window seals. If the flame moves, you’ve got a leak.

5. Upgrade to a programmable thermostat. If you’re gone at the same time every day, a programmable thermostat can lower or raise the temperature which saves energy… and saves, you nearly $200 a year.

6. Have your HVAC serviced regularly. A service check of you Air Conditioner in the spring and your furnace in the fall can improve efficiency and possibly prevent equipment breakdowns. The technician will test air flow and parts that may need replacement.