1. TAME DRAFTS

Walk around your home and examine windows and doors for any drafts.

There are many ways to fill in voids, including stripping, insulator kits, foam, silicone, etc. If you're in an apartment or just want a temporary fix, you can also use one of those draft guards.

2. LOWER THE THERMOSTAT

Start just one degree and you could save up to 5% (or around $10 per day) on your overall heating bill according to an analysis released by EnergyHub in 2012. The EPA recommends settings on 70 degrees during the eight hours most people are home turning it down to 62 degrees for the 16 hours when people are away or sleeping. And if you can get away with keeping your thermostat on lower (we keep ours on 67 during the day), that's great, too. Using a programmable thermostat also helps you save by taking out the manual temperature changing.

3. COVER YOURSELF

Long sleeves, pants, thick socks, and layers are the fashion statements in our house during the winter. Fleece, wool and flannel blankets are more good choices. You don't want to be frigid all season long, but some common sense is employed here.

4. ZONE IT OUT

Close out the hot air vents in unused rooms to redirect the heating to the spaces to the areas you live in. If you have baseboard heating, see if there's a localized switch in your room so you can turn it off and shut the door. The savings here are hard to quantify because so many factors are involved (room size, etc.), however — the less area to heat, the more money that stays in your pockets.

5. USE CURTAINS

During the day, take advantage of the sun's rays by opening your curtains to let the light in. Even on the coldest days you'll get a boost, especially with those south-facing windows in the afternoon rays. Then in the evening, close your curtains to help keep the heat indoors. Insulated curtains are a good choice as they protect your home from heat loss through conduction, infiltration, convection, and radiation.

6. SERVICE YOUR FURNACE

It's one of those annoying home maintenance tasks you don't think you should need to do, but getting your furnace cleaned and evaluated each year can help save you cash and unexpected breakdowns. (It's also a safety thing, as furnaces can leak carbon monoxide into your home without your knowledge.) You'll also need to change out the filter at least once per season — or whenever it's dirty — to keep everything flowing as it should. Check your local coupon books to see if any HVAC providers are offering promotions.

7. ADD INSULATION

If your house is still feeling quite cold, take a trip to your attic to assess the insulation situation. How much insulation you add and where you add it is going to depend on your home. If you plan to stay there for quite a while, it certainly makes sense to evaluate and correct any issues that might cost you big dollars as the years go on.

Source: Wisebread.com