The fall is a beautiful time of year but it can also be a stressful time of year for homeowners as they count down the days to winter. While winter brings the beauty of snow and the holiday season, it also brings cold weather and growing energy bills. If you want to reduce your heating bills this winter, consider trying some of the DIY projects below:
  • Check the caulking around your windows. You may be surprised how much heat exits your home through even the tiniest of spaces. One of the simplest (and most cost-effective) methods for winter-proofing your home is to check the caulking around your windows and replace it if needed. Don't just patch old, dried-out caulking - it is best to remove it and replace it entirely if it is old.
  • Keep your fireplace closed up tight. According to This Old House, the average fireplace sucks up 24,000 cubic feet of warm air through your chimney for every hour that the fire is lit. When you aren't using your fireplace, keep the flue tightly closed and consider using a damper. When you do use your fireplace, turn down the thermostat in your house a few degrees and crack a window in the room and close the door to prevent heat loss from the rest of your house.
  • Cover your water heater. Even if you have an energy-efficient water heater, you could be wasting money in the form of heat loss from the tank. The simplest solution is to buy a $20 water heater blanket and wrap it tightly around the unit. You can also cut your energy bill by reducing the temperature on your water heater to 120˚F.
  • Install programmable thermostats. You don't have a to be an electrician to install a programmable thermostat and this simple switch can save you a lot of money. Keep the thermostat set at a steady temperature when you are at home and set it to a few degrees cooler at night and when you are at work. There are many different kinds of programmable thermostats, so you can choose one as simple or as complex as you like.
  • Add some insulation to your attic and crawlspaces. Spending a few hundred dollars on new insulation for your attic and crawlspaces can reduce your home's heating and cooling needs by as much as 30%. Your savings could be even greater if your home is more than 25 years old and you haven't upgraded the insulation at all during that time.
  • Think about investing in storm windows. If you have an older home, you could be losing 10% to 25% of your homes heat through the windows. Replacing all of the windows on your home may not be an expense you can cover but you can greatly reduce your heat losses by investing in storm windows. Triple-track windows cost about $100 each and they can reduce the heat lost through your existing windows by as much as 25%.
Sometimes you have to spend a little to save a lot, as is the case with these DIY projects. By utilizing one or more of these projects in your home this year you can slash your energy bills while keeping your home nice and cozy.

Frugal Village