The cold months of winter haven’t arrived in full force yet, but the region is already seeing temps in the 30s. That has left homeowners who didn’t do an early fall winterization multitasking to stay warm without breaking the bank. 

According to the National Energy Directors’ Association, the average cost of home heating will remain at near record levels this winter. Last winter saw increases of 17.2.%. The association’s September report said the average American household is expected to pay anywhere from $787 to $2,094 in heating costs between October and March. 

But resourceful homeowners can do a lot to cut back on rising heating costs. It’s late in the game, but not too late to take action. 

One of the most important winterization checkpoints should be a heating system inspection and tune-up. But unless you’re an accomplished do-it-yourself, this inspection is best left to a professional.  

Heating system ducts is an often-overlooked money-saving item that doesn’t necessarily require professional service. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a central heating system can lose up to 60% of its heated air before it reaches the rooms to be heated if ductwork is not well-connected, clean, and insulated in unheated areas. Ducts should be vacuumed once every three or four years.  

Some of the other energy and comfort items that are part of a heating system’s winterization effort should include stocking up on filters. This is an easy one to do. Dirty filters impede the heating system’s airflow and reduce efficiency.  

If you haven’t already done it, consider switching your old thermostat for a programmable digital thermostat. It doesn’t cost much, and the energy efficiency increase is worth the cost and effort.  

If you have a fireplace and the chimney has not been cleaned for a while, schedule an appointment with a chimney sweep. If you have a wood-burning stove, it also needs annual maintenance and exhaust cleaning. 

After the heating system is fine-tuned, it is time to move outdoors. Check the doors and windows for any weather-stripping that needs replacing.  

Rake all debris and vegetation away from your home’s foundation, and then look for crevices, cracks, or spaces around pipes that need to be sealed. Even if it is a small crack, seal it. Your efforts will be rewarded with fewer unwanted crawly guests seeking shelter.  

One way to check for air leaks inside the house is to walk around the drafty areas on a breezy day with a lighted incense stick or candle. You can see exactly where the drafts are compromising your electric bill. Once you discover the drafts, you can block the outside air invasion with caulk or insulation strips.  

Door sweeps are a good idea to close spaces under exterior doors.  

The annual leaf fall is over so, clean your home’s gutters and check the flashing to ensure water cannot enter the home. This time is also ideal for winterizing your summer garden and storing those summertime tools. Be sure to drain all hoses and insulate any exposed pipes. Trim any tree branches hanging too close to the house or electrical wires. Apply the same trimming to shrubs if their growth touches the house. Lastly, seal driveways, brick patios, and wood decks.  

Another thing to remember is reversing your ceiling fans. Reversing the ceiling fan’s direction from the summer setting will push warm air downward and force it to re-circulate, keeping the room – and you – more comfortable. If you change of fan blades rotation to move clockwise you can reduce utility bills by 15% or more.  

More homeowner tips and advice can be found at HouseLogic’s tips for saving on energy costs at https://www.houselogic.com/ It’s a free service of the National Association of Realtors® offers tips agents can use for their marketing. It’s also home base for savvy homeowners looking for information and tips on everything from maintenance advice to cutting energy costs.