Step1
One of the quickest dollar-saving tasks you can do is caulk, seal and weather-strip all seams, cracks, and openings to the out side. That can save 10% or more on your energy bill.
Step2
Check your heating ducts under the house. Remove cracked duct tape. Replace it with foil tape instead Duct tape dries out and will not stand up to heat, Did you know leaky ducts are one of the biggest wastes of energy.
Next add insulation to attic floors, attics have some insulation, but it might not be enough. Lowe's supplies a blower to use for a day if you buy the blown insulation from them. Blown cellulose insulation is made of recycled newspaper and contains boric acid, which will also reduce bugs. Don't forget to insulate the pull-down attic stair, the easiest way is to use a product called the Attic Tent, which acts like a storm door for your attic. Did you know attic openings account for up to 20% of your homes energy loss? Available at http://www.attictent.com.
Then seal holes in basement walls around pipe entries, windows, and doors, I recommend Great Stuff expanding foam. A word to the wise though it will expand to about three times the size of what you squirt, so squirt very little. Another good idea is to replace your old thermostat with a programmable one instead. It may sounds difficult, but only takes about 15 minutes if you take time to read the instructions on the package.(Men)
The last few suggestions I can give you are to insulate your electrical plates and switches on outside walls, use foam insulation on hot water pipes, caulk gaps around windows and doors, install weather-stripping on doors and windows.
Try a special hot water-heater blanket. Average cost is only about $10-$20 dollars. Please be sure to read the instructions on your water heater though, because some models should not use blankets! Read the directions on the package make sure not to cover the dials or any other mechanisms. To be on the safe side, it is probably best not to install a blanket on a gas hot water heater though. For all hot water heaters, be sure to keep your hot water temperature at 120 degrees. This prevents scalds and will save energy. Did you know a properly installed blanket can reduce energy loss by 25% to 45%?
Step3
Attic Tent
Next add insulation to attic floors, attics have some insulation, but it might not be enough. Lowe's supplies a blower to use for a day if you buy the blown insulation from them. Blown cellulose insulation is made of recycled newspaper and contains boric acid, which will also reduce bugs. Don't forget to insulate the pull-down attic stair, the easiest way is to use a product called the Attic Tent, which acts like a storm door for your attic. Did you know attic openings account for up to 20% of your homes energy loss? Available at http://www.attictent.com.
Step4
Great Stuff Expanding Foam
Then seal holes in basement walls around pipe entries, windows, and doors, I recommend Great Stuff expanding foam. A word to the wise though it will expand to about three times the size of what you squirt, so squirt very little. Another good idea is to replace your old thermostat with a programmable one instead. It may sounds difficult, but only takes about 15 minutes if you take time to read the instructions on the package.(Men)
Step5
Hot Water Heater Blanket
The last few suggestions I can give you are to insulate your electrical plates and switches on outside walls, use foam insulation on hot water pipes, caulk gaps around windows and doors, install weather-stripping on doors and windows.
Try a special hot water-heater blanket. Average cost is only about $10-$20 dollars. For all hot water heaters, be sure to keep your hot water temperature at 120 degrees. This prevents scalds and will save energy. Did you know a properly installed blanket can reduce energy loss by 25% to 45%?
Attic Tent
Next add insulation to attic floors, attics have some insulation, but it might not be enough. Lowe's supplies a blower to use for a day if you buy the blown insulation from them. Blown cellulose insulation is made of recycled newspaper and contains boric acid, which will also reduce bugs. Don't forget to insulate the pull-down attic stair, the easiest way is to use a product called the Attic Tent, which acts like a storm door for your attic. Did you know attic openings account for up to 20% of your homes energy loss? Available at http://www.attictent.com.
Great Stuff Expanding Foam
Then seal holes in basement walls around pipe entries, windows, and doors, I recommend Great Stuff expanding foam. A word to the wise though it will expand to about three times the size of what you squirt, so squirt very little. Another good idea is to replace your old thermostat with a programmable one instead. It may sounds difficult, but only takes about 15 minutes if you take time to read the instructions on the package.(Men)
Hot Water Heater Blanket
The last few suggestions I can give you are to insulate your electrical plates and switches on outside walls, use foam insulation on hot water pipes, caulk gaps around windows and doors, install weather-stripping on doors and windows. 
Enthusiast 
Comments
batticdoor said
on 11/10/2007 How To Reduce Your Heating Bills This Winter
By Mark D. Tyrol, P.E.
Battic Door Energy Conservation Products
Imagine leaving a window open all winter long -- the heat loss, cold drafts and wasted energy! If your home has a folding attic stair, a whole house fan or AC Return, a fireplace or a clothes dryer, that may be just what is occurring in your home every day.
These often overlooked sources of heat loss and air leakage can cause heat to pour out and the cold outside air to rush in -- costing you higher heating bills.
Air leaks are the largest source of heating and cooling loss in the home. Air leaks occur through the small cracks around doors, windows, pipes, etc. Most homeowners are well aware of the benefits caulk and weatherstripping provide to minimize heat loss and cold drafts.
But what can you do about the four largest “holes” in your home -- the fol