8 Things You Can Do Right Now to Lower Your Heating Costs

Heating costs can take a big bite out of your finances during the winter. But there are things you can do to minimize the expense. Here are a few tips for cutting your heating costs that you can use right now.

1. Find (and fix) drafts and cold spots

Stopping heat from escaping your house makes it easier to maintain a comfortable temperature. Check doors, windows, attics, and any other potential openings for drafts or cold spots, then seal up what you can.

For the best results, hire a professional to conduct a full energy audit of your home. They will have higher-quality equipment -- and far more experience using it -- and will be able to do a much more thorough assessment than you can do yourself. (They'll also be much more qualified to suggest effective ways you can address each issue than randos on YouTube.)

2. Service your furnace and change the filter

A well-serviced furnace is a happy furnace, and a happy furnace is more efficient and costs less to run. Have a professional come out once a year to inspect and service your furnace -- and air conditioner, if you have one -- to make sure everything is running as it should. (Regular servicing can also give you a much-needed head's up when your furnace is on its last legs.)

Additionally, make sure you're regularly changing your furnace filters. The EPA says you should change the filter at least every three months, but you should check it monthly. If it's dirty, change it.

Make sure you turn off your HVAC before removing the filter. Never run your furnace or air conditioner without the filter in place.

3. Upgrade your thermostat

If you have a barebones thermostat that can't be programmed, consider an upgrade. Installing -- and actually programming -- a digital thermostat can help you save a ton of money by turning down the thermostat for you during times you won't be home or won't need it turned up (such as while sleeping).

Smart thermostats can take it even further by learning your routines and adjusting for you. They can also be purchased with extra sensors that know when you're using -- or not using -- certain rooms in the house. A few states even have savings programs where you can get rebates on your power bill if you let the power company adjust your thermostat during peak hours.

4. Use smaller in-room heaters

What's the use in heating rooms you're not even using? Instead of keeping the entire house at a higher temperature, maintain it at a lower temperature and use in-room heaters and electric blankets to keep cozy.

This is especially effective at reducing heating bills in larger houses, but it can work even in smaller apartments, too.

5. Wear quality layers

Never underestimate the power of properly layered clothing, even -- or, perhaps, especially -- in the house. Even something as simple as adding a tank top under your long-sleeved tee can make you significantly warmer. Layer on a blanket while you're at your desk or on the sofa, and you may be surprised at how much warmer you feel.

Also, don't forget your head and feet. The majority of our body heat escapes through our skin, so any exposed skin is letting all that warmth out. Add a comfy beanie and some thick socks to your loungewear for better self-insulation.

6. Exercise

If you've ever started shoveling snow in a jacket but finished in a T-shirt, then you know how well exercise can warm you up in the cold. Vigorous exercise can be especially effective at getting the blood flowing in your extremities, like hands and feets, which are often slower to warm.

You don't even need a full home gym; jumping jacks, sit-ups, and stretches can be done with no equipment.

7. Get out of the house

Unless you have pets to consider, you can turn the thermostat down quite a bit on your way out the door. The longer you're gone, the less your own heat will need to run.

If you head out to a job each day, make sure your thermostat is set to reduce the temperature while you're gone. If you work from home, you should probably look for ways to leave the house anyway (for your mental health, if not physical). That may mean finding a friendly coworking space. Or maybe it's just heading to the gym, taking a long walk, or visiting the local library. There are a lot of financially friendly ways you can get out of the house without breaking the bank.

One thing to keep in mind is that you can't let the temperature go too low. Experts generally recommend that you keep your thermostat at a minimum of 55°F for the protection of your pipes and plumbing.

8. Pay your utility bills with a rewards credit card

Last year, I earned more than $180 in cash back just from paying my power bill with a rewards credit card. (More specifically, it was the U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card. Love it.) That means I effectively got (almost) one month free thanks to the cash back rewards.

The only thing to watch for are convenience or service fees when you pay with a credit card. Make sure you're earning more rewards than it's costing you to use the card to pay.

Energy bills can be hard to handle when temperatures drop. But there's a lot you can do to help keep your bills down.