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Most of us end up spending thousands and thousands of dollars on heating every year. However, do you know that almost all of us spend at least ten to twenty five per cent more on heating than what we would if we followed a few simple steps in order to cut down on the energy spent on heating up our houses. Energy conservation of any kind goes a long way, because not only does it save us money on our bills, saving on fuel and energy nowadays is equivalent to saving our planet. Even if you have loads of money to spend on heating bills, it is advised that you still try to save energy in order to do your share for saving the earth from folding up due to global warming. Some tips on how you can save on your heating bills are:

· First and foremost, check that your house is properly insulated. You might be losing up to thirty per cent of your house’s central heating through doors and windows that do not seal properly when closed. Therefore, if you have any such outlets, mend them fast using weather stripping or caulking. Remember that windows, even when closed are a major culprit when it comes to losing heat. So make sure that you always pull the blinds and drapes when there is no sunlight in order to maximize on your heating. On the other hand, you should open them to let the heat in whenever the sun is out.

· Keep replacing your furnace filter regularly, since dirty filters add up a lot of dollars to your heating bill due to inefficient heating. You can either ask for extra filters from your furnace manufacturer or buy them at home stores. Change your furnace filters at least once every two months in the winter.

· You can save a lot of money as well as energy by turning down the temperature on your water heater. Most hot water heaters are preset at 145 degrees, and if you turn the temperature down to 120 degrees, you can end up saving at least sixty to seventy dollars with an electric heater and thirty dollars with a gas one. While turning down the thermostat will save money, it should in no way hamper your hot baths. Before changing your water heater’s temperature, remember to turn off the heater’s power through the circuit breaker installed in your home’s central electric panel.

· Using cold water for dishwaters and washing machines also saves both energy and money without hampering the quality of your cleaning. Most detergents nowadays are quite effective even in cold water and you should use hot water only when you are washing clothes that are heavily soiled or crockery that has a lot of heavy oily residue.

· If you are really serious about saving more energy and money, you can ask for an energy audit from your local heating or electricity company. Energy auditors can give you tips and sugestions that might help in reducing your monthly heating bill by half.