Maybe you're a lucky one and live in an area where there is no winter: blue skies and sunshine every day. Maybe you're like some of my crazy family members who LOVE the cold. I know, crazy, huh? My brother recently went to serve for our church, and he was HOPING he'd go somewhere cold! Other people hope to go to Hawaii or something like that.

Well, I'm a sun-lover myself. I feel giddy on the days it shines. I love to feel the sun. But, alas, winter does come with it's cold and wind. It makes me grateful we have modern appliances such as a furnace. People used to go without! How did they do it?! Our ancestors are truly amazing. I feel so pampered and blessed with all that I have in my home.

Along with that lovely furnace, though, there is a price. Literally: a price. You probably see it once a month in "bill" format. Sometimes we open it and breathe a sigh of relief. Sometimes, though, especially mid-winter, we open that bill and cry.

What can we do to keep the tears from shedding?

1. Turn down the heat. Sounds basic enough, but it can help. One source says you save about 3% on your bill every degree you turn down. Even if you can just turn it down when you're not home.

2. Keep vents clear. Sometimes we trap some heat by covering vents with couches or furniture. Keep things clear so it can work as efficiently as possible.

3. Replace air filter. Those things get clogged with dust, are not too expensive, and can make a difference in efficiency. Never changing it can damage the furnace.

4. Use fans sparingly. I hadn't really thought of this one, but using a bathroom or a kitchen fan will let heat escape from your home as it leads to the outside. Use only when needed.

5. Close off all drafts. Keep the fireplace damper closed and cover your swamp cooler vent with cardboard.

6. Caulk leaks / weather-proof your home. Check for drafts around windows and caulk them. Place weather stripping on door frames that lead to the outside. You can add plastic film to cover your windows. We have done this before, be aware that the tape can be very sticky and peel paint and only use it on a window you won't want to open frequently throughout the winter.

7. Inspect. This one is more expensive so don't worry too much about it if you can't afford it, but get your system inspected. Ducts may leak, furnaces may not work as well as they should. We got ours checked one time when it was smelling of natural gas and they said it was 40 years old! (in an apartment we were renting). They replaced it. Sadly, we moved before we got the chance to use it, but he said the bill would go down.

8. Use blinds and curtains to your advantage. Open them in the daytime, especially if you have a south-facing window. Letting the sun in will give some heat. Close in evening to keep heat from escaping.

9. Insulate if needed. You can insulate pipes, or attics being used, crawlspaces, etc. It can make a huge difference. My parents basement was not insulated between its ceiling and the wood floor above it. It made a huge difference to our cold feet (and the house I'm sure) once it got insulated. If the attic is insulated, look for dark areas (dust) on the fiberglass that could be evidence of a draft. Fix the draft first.

10. Research. If replacing anything, which is not always required, research to know if it's high-efficiency/high-quality at a reasonable price.

11. Try a wood-stove. A man I know uses a wood-stove to heat his house. He says it works and is cheaper. I would research first, but it's a possible option

12. Space heater in colder areas. We had one room once that was sooo cold! I couldn't figure out why, but instead of keeping the door open and racking up my heating bill, I used a space heater when I was in there to feel comfortable (I wouldn't run it all the time because it would add to the electric bill).

13. Turn down the water heater. 115-120 degrees will make your bill cheaper without causing a lot of havoc to your warm showers. It should still do its job.

14. Low-flow. A low-flow showerhead uses less water—using less heat at the same time. There's not as much hot water going through.

15. Save on laundry. Wear that skirt you only wore for an hour another day. People won't be grossed out as long as it's not filthy or smelly. Saving on laundry will also save your bill.