More green for less green.

Winter is fully upon us, and it is cold! It is expensive and sometimes inefficient to keep warm. However, there are a few things that can be done that will save money and energy in the long run.

If budget allows you can invest in a programmable thermostat for your home. A programmable thermostat allows you to control the heating of your home when you are not there. The thermostat would automatically lower it's temperature during the hours in which no one was home. Then, before your return to the home, it would automatically go back up. This ensure a warm home upon your arrival, but keeps the cost down during the day (not to mention the waste of energy.)

Proper insulation is also a good investment if your wallet will allow it. This will ensure a warmer home and again, less energy.

There are also a few tips that do not require you to fork over a whole lot of money. Keeping furnace filters clean reduce the amount of time your furnace is on, thus saving money and energy. Making sure there are no air leaks in your home will do the same. If there are any places where cold air can get in, and warm air can escape, you want to make sure to close them up if possible.

Saving money and energy can be as simple as running heat producing appliances at night (dishwasher, oven etc.) The heat produced by these appliances will make it easier on your heat source, whether it be oil or electric. If these appliances are going to run anyway, it is best to use them at the coldest time of the day. Another simple solution is to open up your curtains or blinds on sunny days. Let the sun do it's job!