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. Rebates from Energy Upgrades

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.

There’s more you can do to discourage burglars than an alarm system when you’re away. Burglars look for easy targets, where they can get in and out quickly. They pick a house and watch it to learn your comings and goings and for signs that you’re gone. So what can you do? Make it harder for burglars.

Smart Phone Security. Make cameras visible and install them in more places than the front door. You can access your security cameras anytime, anywhere and get alerts when visitors are detected. You can store video clips and recorded audio to the cloud.

Neighbors. Meet your neighbors and exchange numbers. Watch their homes when they’re gone and ask them to watch yours for any suspicious activity. Have your neighbor pick up mail, flyers on your door or packages left on your doorstep.

Trash. Burglars look through trash for valuable personal records and through empty boxes to learn about purchases, such as pricey new electronics. Make sure to shred important documents you wouldn’t want them to get ahold of.

Lighting. Motion detector lighting is startling and may discourage a burglar from entering your home. It’s worth it to keep your home well-lit with landscape lighting that illuminates windows, doors and walkways. Use on-off light timers, T.V. flicker simulators and large dog bark recordings to simulate that someone’s at home.

Vehicles. Many burglars break into cars to get addresses and other information. Keep your car and glovebox locked. Don’t leave your garage opener visible. Instead, pair your opener with your smartphone so only you can access your home.

Something goes wrong with the air conditioner or the toilet clogs when you least expect it. If you’re not a Mr. or Ms. Fixit, you’ll have to go through 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 make a quick fix to handle minor problems.

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

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

Take advantage of this winter season! There is no need to wait till spring to start investing in your home and yourself. Enjoying the space, you’re living in will make the holiday season that much more filled with joy.

1. Revisit your lighting!

You will be spending a lot more time inside, invest in energy-saving lightbulbs to save you money this winter! Address if you enjoy the lighting in your home currently. Make sure that you find the lighting pleasant and that it offers you the proper lighting for how you’re utilizing the space. A bonus for yourself could be investing in a few sun lamps since you won’t be seeing the sun as often!

2. Stop the leaks and holes!

Make your house more energy-efficient and keep out any critters. This will help keep your energy bill low, keep the cold air out, and stop you from having to call pest control. It’s often easier in the wintertime, for you to notice the leaks with such a temperature disparity outside.

3. Update your home décor and declutter

The wintertime is often a time to find ourselves cozying up indoors, so make sure the space you are occupying is a space not only you enjoy but also makes your life easier. This is a great time for you to address any home décor issues you have and take the time to update them. More so, when’s the last time you took a hard look at your laundry room? Does this space feel usable? Could it be better? Not only will this make your life easier, if and when you decide to sell. Decluttering will showcase the space’s full potential to prospective buyers.

4. Change batteries in the smoke detector

There is never a good time for a fire accident to happen, but winter is absolutely a terrible time. With the increase in time, you are spending inside, heating your home, so does your risk increase. Take the time to go around and check all your smoke detectors. While you’re at it, take the time to check your carbon monoxide detectors too.

5. Install a new programmable thermostat

Speaking of heating your home. Take the time to upgrade your thermostat to a new programable one. This will make a huge difference in your heating bill and increase the value of your home. An added bonus to upgrading is that if you upgrade through your energy company there is a large chance, they will be eligible for instant enrollment bonuses and instant rebates, and it’s better for the environment.

Take advantage of this winter season! There is no need to wait till spring to start investing in your home and yourself. Enjoying the space, you’re living in will make the holiday season that much more filled with joy.

It’s still warm and cold weather is a few months away, but this is the best time prepare your home for winter.   First, it’s warm enough to enjoy being outdoors.  Second, busy service professionals may need to be scheduled weeks in advance.

Have your heating system checked.
Have your heating system cleaned and tuned by a qualified furnace service.  A pre-season tune-up is a good investment. It reduces the chances of breakdowns in the middle of winter, improves safety, and pays for itself through more energy efficient operation.

Check your furnace filter.
If it’s old and dusty, you should replace it. Furnace filters must be changed regularly to maintain the efficiency of your furnace and to prevent dust from spreading through your house.

Protect against carbon monoxide.
Any fuel burning appliance — gas, propane or oil furnace, gas water heater, gas range and oven, gas dryer, gas or kerosene space heater, fireplace, or wood stove — can put dangerous amounts of carbon monoxide into the air if they are not working properly.

You can’t see or smell carbon monoxide, but at a high level in can kill a person in minutes. Because the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to food poisoning, viral infections or the flu, you may not realize that CO poisoning could be the cause. Even at moderate levels, carbon monoxide can cause headaches, tiredness, nausea, mental confusion, and shortness of breath.

A carbon monoxide detector can be purchased at any hardware store and should be placed in a hallway or sleeping area. If carbon monoxide is present in your home an alarm will sound.

Clean the gutters.
This not anyone’s favorite job, so it’s best to do when the weather is nice. Remove leaves, sticks, and other debris from gutters, so melting snow and ice can flow freely. This will prevent ice damming, a condition where water is unable to properly drain through the gutters and instead seeps into the house, causing water to drip from the ceiling and walls.

You may also consider installing “gutter guards.” Available in most hardware stores. Gutter guards are screens that prevent debris from entering the gutter and direct the flow of water away from the house and into the ground.

Trim trees and remove dead branches.
Ice, snow and wind could cause weak trees or branches to break and damage your home,  car, or pull down your electrical and internet wires.

Cover your air conditioning unit.
This appliance is often neglected when the “Cool” is switched to “Heat”.  Winter’s freezing and thawing can damage the unit’s fragile cooling fins, reducing its efficiency and life. Covers are sold in all hardware stores (Home Depot, Lowes, ACE, etc.) and easy to install.

Garden hoses and irrigation systems.
These are easily forgotten once they’re no loner being used. Remove hoses from the faucets and store for the winter.  Underground sprinkler system should be “blown out” so that no water remains in the system. There are services that can do this for you.

Energystar.gov offers a great deal of information for homeowners. From tax credits and rebates to referrals to qualified contractors, you’ll learn about Energy Star®-certified products you can purchase and install in your home that save energy, money and the environment.

The energy star program was established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to benefit consumers by encouraging manufacturers to create the most energy-efficient and cost-effective products in about 75 categories. Since 1992, Energy Star and its partners have saved U.S. families and businesses trillions in kilowatt-hours of electricity and helped them avoid more than $450 billion in energy costs.

For non-businesses, Energy Star tax credit benefits are limited to homeowners for their primary residence located in the United States and include the following:

• Air Source Heat Pumps
• Central Air Conditioning (CAC)
• Gas, Propane, and Oil Hot Water Boiler
• Gas, Propane, and Oil Furnaces and Fans
• Water Heaters (non-solar)
• Advanced Main Air Circulating Fan
• Biomass Stove
• Insulation
• Roofs (Metal and Asphalt)
• Windows, Doors, and Skylights

The tax credits for residential renewable energy products include geothermal heat pumps, small wind turbines, solar energy systems and fuel cells. In addition to federal tax credits, local rebates and offers may be available in your area.

Check the ENERGY STAR^® Rebate Finder, where you can enter your zip code to find rebates and other offers in your area. Also, contact your local utility or state energy office about any available incentives or programs.

There are pros and cons to all types of stone countertops. How do you choose which ones are best for your home?  Knowing the properties of each type of stone will help you make the right decision.

Granite – There are over 3,000 types of granite. Despite its strength, granite is porous, which means it can absorb stains unless it’s sealed. It can crack if not properly fabricated and installed. Yet, granite’s beauty and variety make it the most popular choice for countertops.

Soapstone – Soapstone is a “magnesium-rich metamorphic rock” containing up to 80% talc, making it ideal for carving. However, there is a stronger strain called architectural soapstone that is impervious to staining and scorching. Damage can be sanded out. It requires no sealant, but mineral oil helps develop its patina, which darkens with age.

Marble – Marble is one of the most beautiful stones and is frequently used as in small amounts such as a bathroom countertop. It stains and scratches easily and requires sealant, making it less popular for kitchens. Like granite, it adds value to the home.

Quartz – Engineered stone is man-made of approximately 93% quartz and the remainder in resins. Developed as an alternative to granite, it’s nearly as expensive, but performs much better. While granite, soapstone and marble feature artistic veining and natural “flaws,” quartz is manufactured to have uniform patterns and colors. The advantage is a surface that requires no sealant that’s more durable and scratch resistant than natural stone.