By Maggie Romuld

It's that time of the year again. You check the weather report for storm warnings, crank up the furnace and hunker down in front of the television. Sub-zero temperatures keep you off the streets, so you save money on fuel, but your home electricity bill skyrockets as the furnace runs non-stop to keep frost off your windows and drafts at bay. What can you do if you're worried about heating costs this year, or just want to reduce your carbon footprint and keep heat inside your house where it belongs? Check out the Alliance to Save Energy (ASE).

The ASE was established in 1977 to "promote the efficient and clean use of energy worldwide to benefit the environment, the economy, and national security," and in January 2010, they issued a press release that provided a number of winter energy efficiency tips to cut heating and related energy costs. While the press release was specific to winter heating concerns, their website (www.ase.org/consumers) is loaded with tips and tricks that will help you lower your energy consumption - and save money - throughout the year. Tip sheets include: "How to Lower Home Office Operating Costs;" "How to Put Your Home on an Energy Diet;" "No-cost and Low-cost Tips to Save Energy and Money," and the well-named, "Ultimate Checklist for Saving Money by Reducing Energy Bills."

The ASE suggests that heating can account for almost a third of a typical home's energy costs and recommends two basic strategies to "reduce your heating costs by up to 20 percent." The first thing they suggest is to plug any air leaks because, "Warm air leaking into your home during the summer and out of your home during the winter wastes money." The easiest ways to prevent heat loss are by weather-stripping doors, sealing windows and electrical outlets, and filling gaps in the house's foundation.

The second most important strategy ASE recommends is to install the appropriate insulation for your climate. They advise that, "The easiest and most cost-effective way to insulate your home is to add insulation in the attic. If you have less than 6 or 7 inches (15 - 20 cm), you can probably benefit by adding more. Other effective places to add insulation include unfinished basement walls and crawlspaces."

The ASE also offers other no-cost or low-cost tips:

• Check the furnace filters every month during times of heavy use and replace them if they are dirty. A dirty filter slows down the flow of air and makes the system work harder.
• Open the curtains on any south- or west-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat the house, and close them at night to prevent heat loss.
• Remember to turn down your heating or cooling every night and when you leave the house, or install a programmable thermostat.
• Use area heaters to warm the occupied rooms in your home and keep the rest of your home at cooler, more economical temperatures.
• Seal your heating and cooling ducts. "In a typical house with a forced air system, about 20 percent of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes, and poorly connected ducts. Sealing and insulating ducts increases efficiency, lowers home energy bills, and can often pay for itself in energy savings."
• Properly maintain your furnace and air conditioner. "A semi-annual or yearly tune-up of your heating and cooling system can improve efficiency and comfort."
• If you have to replace your heating and cooling equipment, consider high-efficiency units. Although they may cost more than traditional units, they can cut your heating and cooling costs and save you money in the long run.
• If your home has only single-pane windows, consider replacing them with high-efficiency windows or installing storm windows. The ASE suggests that, "High-performance windows can cut heating costs by as much as 30 percent compared to single-pane windows, while increasing indoor comfort and lessening fading of home furnishings."

One final recommendation? Think happy thought of spring and picture how you could re-design your yard to protect your house from the elements. Perhaps you could plant evergreens and shrubs on the windward side of your house to create a natural wind break. On the sunny side of your house, you could plant trees that lose their leaves in the fall. In the summer, the leaves would protect your home from direct sunlight, and on a cold winter day, you could curl up on a chair and feel the sun's rays streaming in to warm your home.

* Shakespeare