Experts tell us we can easily conserve energy this winter without sacrificing comfort or spending much money.  How?  Start with your heating system.  Have a heating professional check your furnace annually.  Change your furnace filters regularly- usually once a month.  Stop air leaks.  When it's windy, hold a lighted incense stick next to locations where outside air can enter for air leaks.  Air leaks are found when the incense smoke moves horizontally.  Most leaks can be sealed with an inexpensive tube of silicone caulk.  use metal weather stripping with a vinyl backing for your doors.  Install thing, foam gaskets in wall outlets.

 

Set your thermostat a little lower during the winter.  For each degree the thermostat is lowered, you can save 2 to 3 percent on heating costs.  Purchase a programmable thermostat to better control the settings.

 

Use an inexpensive humidifier to add some humidity to your home for increased comfort.  Or leave bathroom doors open after showering and leave exhaust fans off when boiling liquids in the kitchen.

 

Take advantage of free energy from the sun by opening blinds, shades or draperies on the sunny side of the house.  Make sure to close them before dark so the heat doesn't escape. 

 

For more, visit , select "My Home" and then "Energy Savings Tips."

 

 

Enroll in PowerSmartPricing.... a real-time pricing program from Ameren Illinois utilities, administered by CNT Energy.  Visit to learn how it could help you cut your household energy costs.