With the fall season in full swing and the big box stores already stocking their shelves with holiday decorations, it’s time to start thinking about and preparing for winter. One of the biggest concerns facing families each and every year is the cost of heating their homes during these cold months. Here are some good tips and tricks that can help to lower your heating bill this winter.

You don’t need to wait for the cold weather to arrive to prep your home and perform maintenance on your heating system. An easy step to prevent both heat loss in the winter and air conditioning in the summer is to ensure any and all gaps in doors and door frames are sealed. Also taking the time to re-caulk the drafty areas around your windows will prevent air from escaping. Take a walk around your home, paying attention to furniture that may be blocking radiators. This could prevent heat from circulating around the room when needed so you may want to consider rearranging your furniture. If it has been awhile, you might also want to get your heating system checked to make sure everything is in tip top shape and ready to tackle the marathon that is winter heating.

Once the cold does arrive, keep shades and curtains open during the day to maximize the sunlight flow into your house, this will help to naturally warm your home. Close them both once the sun has set to prevent heat loss. Keep you kitchen vents, closest doors, and fireplace dampers closed to also prevent warm air from escaping. In addition, turn down your thermostat a degree or two while you are out or sleeping and turn the water heater temperature down to 115-120 degrees ensuring you will use less energy without really noticing a difference.

Finally, there are bigger steps you can take that might cost a little up front but will pay off in the long run. Installing a programmable thermostat will lower fuel costs over the course of a year and will also prevent you from having to constantly regulate the temperature manually. If you have them, lowering storm windows will keep air from escaping and if you don’t have them it might be an investment you want to make.

Don’t fret over the winter cold this year. With these tips you shouldn’t have to anguish over your home heating bill, instead enjoy the winter weather! As Ben Franklin once said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”