For many American households, heating is the largest energy expense of the year, and winter bills can arrive as an unpleasant shock. The good news is that some of the most effective ways to lower them cost little or nothing. Here is where to start, in rough order of payoff.

1. Use your thermostat smarter

The Department of Energy estimates that turning your thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit for eight hours a day, for example while you sleep or are at work, can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling.

  • A programmable or smart thermostat does this automatically, so you don’t have to remember.
  • Many people find around 68°F comfortable while awake and at home, and cooler while asleep under warm bedding.
  • If you have a heat pump, avoid deep setbacks unless your thermostat is designed for heat pumps. Large swings can trigger less efficient backup heating.

The old belief that it takes more energy to reheat a house than you save by turning the heat down isn’t true for most homes. A cooler house loses heat more slowly.

2. Stop the drafts

Air leaking in around windows, doors and other gaps can account for a meaningful share of heating costs. Fixes are cheap:

  • Add weatherstripping around doors and windows that let in cold air.
  • Seal gaps around pipes, vents and wiring that pass through outside walls, using caulk or foam.
  • Use a door sweep or draft stopper at the bottom of exterior doors.
  • Install foam gaskets behind outlet and switch covers on exterior walls.

A simple test: on a windy day, hold a lit incense stick near windows and doors. If the smoke wavers, you have found a leak.

3. Use the sun and your curtains

Open curtains and blinds on south-facing windows during sunny days to let in free heat, and close them at night to hold the warmth in. Heavy or insulated curtains help most on older, single-pane windows.

4. Maintain your heating system

  • Replace or clean furnace filters regularly, often every one to three months during heavy use. A clogged filter makes the system work harder.
  • Keep vents and radiators clear of furniture and curtains.
  • Have the system serviced by a professional before or early in the season.

5. Small changes that add up

  • Run ceiling fans clockwise on a low setting in winter, which pushes warm air down from the ceiling.
  • Set your water heater to 120°F, which is hot enough for most households and saves energy.
  • Close the fireplace damper when it’s not in use; an open damper sends warm air up the chimney.
  • Dress for the season indoors. A sweater and warm socks let you set the thermostat a couple of degrees lower comfortably.

Space heaters: careful use

Heating a single room you are using with a space heater can cost less than heating the whole house, but space heaters are a leading cause of home heating fires. Keep them at least three feet from anything that can burn, plug them directly into a wall outlet, choose models with automatic shutoff if tipped over and never leave them running while you sleep or leave the room.

Getting help with bills

If heating bills are hard to afford, don’t wait until you fall behind.

  • Ask your utility about budget billing, which spreads costs evenly over the year, and about payment plans.
  • The federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible households pay heating bills and, in some cases, make homes more efficient. Applications go through state and local agencies.
  • Many states have rules limiting utility shutoffs during the coldest months. Check with your state’s utility commission.

What we think

The cheapest kilowatt is the one you don’t use. A programmable thermostat and a weekend spent sealing drafts deliver savings faster than almost any big-ticket home improvement, and they make the house more comfortable too.

If your bills are already more than you can manage, call your utility now and ask about LIHEAP before the coldest months arrive. Help exists, but it often runs on first-come, first-served budgets.