Heat your home for less

It's that time of year: cozy couch time, watching the snow fall…and trying not to cry when you open your energy bill. Yes, heating your home can take up a huge chunk of the household budget, so I decided to tackle the topic for my column in the February issue of Redbook.

I found there are ways to spend less—if you're willing to invest a little time and money up front. The good news: small, feasible changes you make today can show up on your energy bill as soon as next month. Here are two to try now:

• Cool down: Install a programmable thermostat (you can get a good one for $50) and set it to drop a few degrees while no one’s home. Savings: Cut heating costs by up to 10 percent.

• Lighten up: Replace all the old-school incandescent light bulbs in your home with new compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs. Savings: $50-$150 a year on electric bills.

For more DIY tips, check out the Alliance to Save Energy website, ase.org, and the joint website of the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, energystar.gov.

And to see how a home energy audit could save you big bucks in the long-term, check out my column in the February issue of Redbook or on RedbookMag.com!