As winter approaches and the cool weather sets in you start thinking about the high cost of heating. There are a number of things you can do this winter to help lower your heating bill. The great thing about weather-proofing your home is that it also lowers the cost of cooling your home in the summertime.

One of the first things you can check is the weatherstrip around the door. During the day you can look around the edges of the door and anywhere you see light from outside you are looking at cold cash rushing out the door. Replace those strips. You can get replacement strips for most doorways at Home Depot and Lowes or just ask your handyman to fix the weather stripping, he’ll know what to do. (Read the Lowes How-to Weatherstrip Windows and Doors)

If you have central heating and air then you need to replace the air filter often. This is one of the least expensive ways to save money on heating and cooling costs and it is often overlooked. For just a few dollars you can replace that air filter. They even sell them at WalMart. Prices range from about $5 to $20. At that price why not just replace it every month? If you live on a dirt road or keep your windows open often or have a lot of traffic in and out of your home then you should be checking your air filter frequently. Let’s not forget about pets. Pets that shed are clogging your air filter too. When the filter is clogged then your system has to work harder and that adds up to higher energy costs.

Windows are a prime suspect in heating loss. In older homes you might still have original windows that are not energy efficient. You can also get cool air coming in around the windows due to settling or sealants that have degraded over time. If you live in the Metro Atlanta area call Atlanta Vinyl Windows for a free estimate on replacement windows.

If you have an attic or a crawl space then you should have a professional check the insulation. These types of areas require ventilation and they are usually open directly to the outdoors. You need proper insulation to separate these cool areas from your living areas.

We hope that gets you thinking about saving this winter on your energy bills. Most people will find at least one of these areas has been neglected and once repaired it should save you money for a number of years.