wnbc.com - Ask Asa - 50 Ways To Cut Heating Costs (The List!)

Follow these pointers to reduce your energy bills this winter:

Tip 1:
It makes no sense to let expensive heat flow out of your house through poorly insulated walls or leaky doors and windows. To detect some of the larger gaps, shine a flashlight over all potential openings while a partner watches from the other side. Large cracks will show up as rays of light.

Tip 2:
Ceiling fans may be associated with cooling, but you can use them to circulate the warm air. Most fans have a reverse switch, which pushes the heated air down where you want it.

Tip 3:
Lock your windows -- it's a good security measure and the best way to ensure a tight seal to prevent heat leakage.

Tip 4:
Increase your perception of warmth by adding a furnace humidifier. Sixty-eight degrees with moisture can feel warmer than a completely dry home at 72 degrees.

Tip 5:
Check for every possible leak: mail chutes, electrical and gas service entrances, outdoor water faucets, the spot where the dryer vent passes through the wall and around air conditioners, vents, and fans.

Tip 6:
If you have older, single-pane windows, use plastic film kits that create the effect of an interior storm window.

Tip 7:
Seal other cracks and gaps. Look for drafts anywhere different materials meet, for example, between brick and wood siding, between foundation and walls, and between the chimney and siding.

Tip 8:
You can test for drafts with a stick of incense. A drifting rather than strait line of smoke could indicate problems.

Tip 9:
Buy easy-to-use materials to seal those leaks. Weather stripping may be purchased by the foot or in kits complete with the seal and fasteners for a single door or window. Caulk is usually sold in disposable cartridges that fit in half-barrel caulking guns but is also available in aerosol cans, squeeze tubes, and ropes for small jobs or special applications.

Tip 10:
Have your heating systems inspected annually by a service professional. A sluggish system can increase fuel consumption. Before they leave, they should be able to do a steady state efficiency test, so you know it's running safely and efficiently.

Tip 11:
Replace your furnace filters every few months.

Tip 12:
Keep air from leaking under a door just by rolling up a small rug and placing it across the bottom of the doorway.

Tip 13:
Pay special attention to leaks in windows near your thermostat. Cold air from these windows can blow across the thermostat and turn your heating system on unnecessarily.

Tip 14:
Keep heating supply and return registers and radiators clean and unobstructed by furniture and draperies.

Tip 15:
Turn off the heat or close the heat registers in unused rooms. Be careful, however, if any pipes pass through these rooms. If the temperature falls below freezing, they could freeze.

Tip 16:
Invest in an easy-to-program thermostat with a timer and memory. You can simply set your thermostat a half hour before you come home and when you arrive the chill should be out of the house.

Tip 17:
Keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning to prevent up to 8 percent of your furnace-heated air from going up the chimney.

Tip 18:
Window air conditioners are heat-leakers. Make sure to close all the vents and then install a special cover to complete the seal.

Tip 19:
Use a sweater and an extra blanket, and set the thermostat at 68 degrees during the day and 60 degrees at night. Each degree above these settings can result in a 3 percent increase in energy costs.

Tip 20:
Be patient. The house will not warm up any faster if you crank up the thermostat past the desired temperature and you're likely to forget to turn it back down.

Tip 21:
Heat rises -- and so will your bill if your ignore leaks in your attic. Even a basic seal around the trap door can mean a big difference in your energy costs.

Tip 22:
Energy-efficient light bulbs now provide the coverage illumination and multiple settings like the old ones. The one thing they don't do is soak up and squander electricity. Compact fluorescent light bulbs, use two-thirds less energy than a regular bulb, so they pay for themselves within three months.

Tip 23:
Let the sun in. If you keep shades and drapes open during the day, you help your heating system maintain a comfortable temperature. Close window coverings at night and on cloudy days to keep the warm air in.

Tip 24:
Wrap insulation around heating ducts and hot water pipes that run through basements, crawl spaces and other unheated areas. Insulate the first five feet of pipe coming out of the top of your water heater or the whole length until the pipe goes into the wall if that is less than five feet.

Tip 25:
Insulate the hot water heater itself.

Tip 26:
Reduce hot water temperature. Set your water heater to the "normal" setting or 120 degrees, unless the owner's manual for your dishwasher requires a higher setting. Savings are 7 to 11 percent of water-heating costs.

Tip 27:
Low flow showerheads and faucets can drastically cut your hot water expenses by 10 to 16 percent of water-heating costs.

Tip 28:
Install simple aerators on your faucets to help conserve water.

Tip 29:
Close a dollar in the refrigerator door. If it pulls out easily with little resistance, the seals should be replaced.

Tip 30:
Pay close attention to your refrigerator temperature settings. They should be at 40 degrees for the cold section and zero for the freezer.

Tip 31:
Stack and pack your food items for maximum energy efficiency. In the cold section, spread the items apart to allow cool air to circulate. In the freezer, keep items packed close -- the tighter the better.

Tip 32:
Unless you need your dishes right away, set the washer on air-dry cool and let them dry on their own without forced heat.

Tip 33:
Turn off lights in unoccupied rooms.

Tip 34:
Unplug that spare refrigerator in the garage if you don't truly need it - this convenience adds 10-25 percent to your electric bill.

Tip 35:
Running the kitchen and bath-ventilating fans for about 20 minutes helps prevent mold. Remember to turn them off after that. These fans can blow out all the heated air out of a house full if inadvertently left on.

Tip 36:
Do only full loads when using your dishwasher and clothes washer.

Tip 37:
Use the cold water setting on your clothes washer when you can. Using cold water reduces your washer's energy use by 75 percent.

Tip 38:
Be sure to clean your clothes dryer's lint trap after each use.

Tip 39:
Use the moisture-sensing automatic drying setting on your dryer if you have one.

Tip 40:
When you buy, look for the energy star label. From big appliances to television and stereo equipment, it means the device is designed for better energy conservation.

Tip 41:
Use the power management feature on your computer so it goes to sleep if you're away for 10 to 15 minutes.

Tip 42:
Computer sleep is fine for short periods, but it still uses energy. Turn the machine completely off overnight.

Tip 43:
When it comes to TVs, VCRs, chargers and other electronics switched "off," it doesn't stop the power use. Most equipment, even if it's in the dormant mode, still uses electricity. In a typical home, these standby appliances add up to over 50 watts constantly consumed. If possible, unplug them.

Tip 44:
Many utilities offer low-cost energy use inspections done by recommended contractors. Check to see if your home can be included.

Tip 45:
Go online for free help selecting and comparing heating systems or appliances. Start at the national http://www.energystar.gov. Get a customized strategy for saving.

Tip 46:
Get on a budget plan so you pay a fixed amount during even the coldest months.

Tip 47:
Use supplemental heat sources wisely. Fireplaces look pretty, but many are notorious energy wasters. Inserts are effective, but expensive. At the very least, use the glass doors to let the fire burn out more efficiently and safely.

Tip 48:
Don't overuse portable heaters. A portable electric heater running 8 hours a day can add up to more than $60 a month.

Tip 49:
High-priced mini stacks of firewood are a poor bargain. If you need wood, buy it seasoned and by the cord.

Tip 50:
Solar power is finally becoming more useful. Check out sidewalk lights and address signs that soak up the sun all day and shine all night.