How to avoid winter chills without the higher bills

(BPT) - Every year, homeowners across the country face the expense of coping with winter – from cranking the heat to lighting your home during a season with fewer hours of daylight. However, it doesn’t take a lot of new technology to turn your house into an efficient home, and the payoff can be big. Consider these easy tips to save money while staying warm.

* Prevent drafts. Drafts that come from unprotected windows and doors will increase your energy costs by 5 percent to 30 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Prevent drafts by weather stripping windows and installing inexpensive draft stoppers under doors. It’s a simple step that could save you hundreds of dollars every winter, and keep your family warmer.

* Perform regular furnace maintenance. If your furnace filters are dirty, it’s costing you money and can affect your health. Change your filters every month throughout the winter, and if you have an older, inefficient furnace consider replacing it. According to the IRS, you could qualify for federal tax credits that cover as much as 30 percent of the replacement cost to a maximum of $1,500.

* Have a talk with your thermostat. Every time you turn your thermostat down by just one degree, you can save about 1 percent on your energy bill, according to the DOE. That means turning your thermostat down 10 to 15 degrees for eight hours a day, when the house is empty, can save you 5 to 15 percent a year on your heating bill.

* Consider the switch to solar. Many Americans are investing in clean energy sources like solar panels to create more energy efficient homes. Leasing solar panels can cost nothing to install and reduce your energy bill by 20 percent on average, according to Sunrun, the largest dedicated residential solar company in the U.S. If you haven't already invested in a solar system, consider using the money you could save this winter. Visit www.sunrun.com to learn more.

Effective solutions start with making a few small changes that can result in significant savings. Don’t wait until next winter to create a warmer, more efficient “smart” home, start today.