Take a look at your water heater’s temperature setting. It’s probably automatically set to 140 degrees. This is the temperature that water heaters are generally set at when installed in a home. You can save energy by lowering the water heater default temperature to as low as 120 degrees. It’s a small difference that’s virtually unnoticeable, but it’ll reduce water heating costs by up to 10 percent per year. That’s a big difference that’ll have you recouping dollars off your utility bills.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Do you have a real working fireplace that goes totally unused? Many homes do, especially ones that are older and may have a broken damper inside the chimney. If fixing your fireplace is too cost-prohibitive, try this inexpensive energy-saving solution instead: Get a chimney balloon. This is an inflatable plastic pillow that is made with a very strong poly plastic. It inflates and creates a tight seal inside your fireplace. When you want to use the fireplace, it easily deflates, and it’ll inflate again and again, too.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you have a window air conditioning unit that you cannot remove when not in use during the colder months, consider investing in an insulated cover for it. Home improvement stores have specially made covers that fit snug on the inside and exterior part of the air conditioner. They are waterproof and tough (so they can withstand the elements), but they also block cold drafts from blowing into your house. These covers pay for themselves over time in energy savings.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION