To help lower your heating bill follow these tips:

• Set your thermostat to 70 degrees or lower during the day.
  
  
• Lower the temperature at night or when you are not at home. For every one degree you set your thermostat back you save 1-3% on your annual heating costs.
  
  
• Consider installing a humidifier. Humid air feels warmer than dry air and increasing the humidity in your home will help you resist winter colds and moisturizes dry skin.
  
  
• Install an automatic setback thermostat that can be programmed to turn the temperature up and down at preset times.
  
  
• Insulate your attic, walls ceilings and floors to prevent heat loss.
  
  
• Take advantage of passive solar energy by opening drapes during the day to capture the sun's warmth then closing them at night to prevent heat loss through windows.
  
  
• Keep fireplace dampers shut until you prepare to light a fire. An open damper in a 48" fireplace can let as much as 8% of your home's heat escape through the chimney.
  
  
• Avoid heating unused areas by closing off unused rooms and shutting off heat vents.
  
  
• Consider installing storm windows and doors. Quality windows can result in cost savings of as much as 15% per year.