Find and seal leaks.

Weather-strip, seal, and/or caulk leaky doors, utility cut-throughs for pipes, gaps around chimneys, gaps around recessed lights in insulated ceilings, and unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets. Also install foam gaskets behind outlet covers.

Upgrade old windows with new energy efficient windows.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when selecting new windows:

• Low-E coatings on the glass reflect heat inside your home and reflect the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays outside your home

• Multiple panes of glass increase insulation and help maximize energy efficiency.

• Low U-values or U-factors have the highest insulating properties.

Adjust the temperature.

When you are home and awake, set your thermostat to as low as is comfortable, and turn it back several degrees when you are asleep or out of the house. Also consider installing a low-cost programmable or smart thermostat. You can save up to 10 percent a year on heating and cooling costs by adjusting your thermostat 7 to 10 degrees from its normal setting for 8 hours a day, according to Energy.gov.

Take advantage of heat from the sun.

Open curtains on your south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home, and close them at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.

Add insulation to your attic.

If your existing insulation level is R-19 or less, consider insulating your attic to at least R-30.

Reduce holiday lighting costs.

Use light-emitting diode (LED) holiday light strings to reduce the cost of decorating your home for the winter holidays.

Cover drafty windows.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, windows can account for 10 to 25 percent of your heating bill by letting heat escape. Use heavy-duty, clear plastic sheet on a frame or tape clear plastic film to the inside of your window frames. Make sure the plastic is sealed tightly to the frame to reduce cold air infiltration.

Maintain your heating system.

Replace your furnace filter once a month, and schedule service for your heating system to find out what maintenance is required to keep the system operating efficiently.

Install energy efficient lighting.

Install Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs) and Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) to replace incandescent light bulbs. CFLs use 75% less electricity to produce the same amount of light as incandescent bulbs and last approximately ten times longer.

Line-dry clothes.

Dryers are often the biggest energy users in homes after refrigerators. If it is necessary to use the clothes dryer, only run full loads, use the moisture-sensing setting if available, and always clean the lint trap after each use.

Have a cooling system checkup.

Get a pre-season checkup by a professional HVAC technician, which could help HVAC components run more efficiently. Make sure to change filters regularly. If you have a large, energy intensive system that gets a lot of use, consider retrofitting or upgrading to a higher efficiency system.

Avoid placing appliances near your thermostat.

Keep heat-producing appliances and lamps away from your thermostat, which can cause the system to run longer and work harder.

Use ceiling and room fans.

Creating air movement can help keep a room comfortable without having to run the air as long.