• Let in some light. Open blinds on south-facing windows during the day to let in the sun. Close them in the evening to add a bit more insulation. This provides just enough mid-day warmth that we don’t need the heater. My grandma used to sew insulated drapes for the winter with magnets on the edges to keep the heat in.
  • Use rugs on bare floors. We have hardwood floors above a poorly-insulated basement. These floors are cold in the morning and the late afternoon. An area rug does a fine job of keeping my feet warmer.
  • Block drafts. This is best done with weather-stripping or other forms of insulation, but even a blanket in front of a door helps.
  • Use space heaters. A portable radiator-type oil heater uses a lot of power, but not nearly as much as a furnace. I still recommend having central heat - but the space heaters will keep you warmer in the rooms you inhabit while your central heat can be set lower.
  • Bundle up. Keep your thermostat cooler and dress warm. Your body will begin to adjust to the cold weather this way too.
  • Install a programmable thermostat. You can set yours low for night time and times when you're away from the home.
  • Use an electric blanket. There’s no need to heat the entire house when you’re asleep. There’s no need to even heat the bedroom. An electric blanket is cheaper and cozier. (A blanket with dual-controls is best.)
  • Change the furnace filter. A dirty filter forces the furnace to work harder, decreasing its efficiency, increasing heating costs. We change the furnace filter at the start of the season, and once every month or two thereafter.
  • Close unused rooms. Do not heat them. This winter, we closed off our guest room and shut the heater vent. That room is now separate from the rest of the house. It stays cold, but there’s no reason to keep it warm.
  • Use vent Covers for rooms that are overheated or you don't use. I found them for about 2 for $3.00 but they will save you a lot more on energy costs. However, don't close off more than 10% of your registers apparently because it is hard on the furnace if too many heat registers are closed.
  • Buy Storm Doors. They will save oodles of cash.
  • Consider entering your house through a mudroom or garage rather than the front door - the front door typically blows cold air into your central living space, cooling down your house considerably.

These steps can reduce your heating costs immediately. In the long term, your best bet is to make sure your home is properly insulated. You should also check that your heat source is efficient, and that you’re not losing heat in unintended locations.

Insulating your water heater is another good way to save money.

For a detailed analysis of how your home can be heated most efficiently, set up an appointment for an energy audit. Many large cities have free programs for assessing home energy use.