Colder weather often brings higher energy bills for homeowners. With colder, darker days and more time spent inside the house, some people find powering their homes in winter is even more expensive than during the summer. Though it may be tempting to simply lower the temperature on a thermostat, there are several ways to lower your utility bill while staying warm and cozy.

Consider these tips to reduce your monthly utility bills in the winter:

• Look for and seal any areas where heat may be escaping from your home, especially around windows and doors.
• Use a programmable thermostat to automatically lower the temperature when you are away from home.
• Check the temperature setting of your water heater and insulate it to prevent heat loss.
• Ensure that your vents and radiators are not blocked. This will allow warm air to circulate through your home freely.
• Open window curtains and blinds during the day to let the sunlight warm your home, and close them at night to keep the heat from escaping.
• Check your furnace filter and replace it if dirty.
• Have all HVAC systems inspected by a professional before winter and repair any leaky ductwork.
• Shut doors and close vents to rooms that you are not using. Doing so will allow you to heat the rooms that are in use more efficiently.
• Close the damper when the fireplace is not in use.

There are other small ways that energy can be saved to reduce bills year-round. Consider taking shorter showers, fixing leaky taps, using energy-efficient LEDs instead of incandescent light bulbs and unplugging electronics when they are not in use.