Here are 10 steps to get you started that cost zero or very little.

(1) When at home, set your thermostat as low as is comfortable; try for 68 degrees or lower. Put together a comfy, layered at-home outfit from items already in your drawers-long sleeved shirts, sweaters, thermal underwear, sweats, wool slacks, shawls--whatever works to help weather the lower indoor temperature.

(2) When sleeping or when you're out of the house, set the thermostat 10 degrees lower than where you keep it when you're at home.

(3) Make sure all your storm doors and windows are in place and shut tightly.

(4) Clean or replace furnace filters (filters can be as cheap as $3 each) monthly or as necessary.

(5) Dust or vacuum warm-air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators regularly.

(6) Rearrange furniture, carpets or curtains blocking them and of the above.

(7) Bleed trapped air from hot-water radiators at least once in the winter. Don't know how? Check here: www.wisegeek.com/what-is-radiator-bleeding.htm. 

(8) Make sure weather stripping is tight on all your doors and windows. For advice on finding drafty spots in your house, check out: http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/repair/how-to-apply-weatherstripping.htm

(9) Keep closet, cabinet, and pantry doors closed to prevent heat from escaping.

(10) Find out if your power company will do a free energy audit of your home. If not, do it yourself. For directions go to: http://hes.lbl.gov.

- Nancy Dunnan