Winter brings some opportunity for major energy savings in the next year. Read this article for a couple of very handy tips specifically assembled for this season!

Shut off the air conditioner - The majority of air conditioners have a simple heater switch that warms air instead of cooling. Our tip is to turn it off completely - it uses a lot of energy and doesn't contribute such amounts of heat that would justify the investment.

Drain exterior faucets -These may split if you don't. Shut off all valves and open the drain cap. There are frost-proof faucets on the market available, you may want to look into these as well.

Re-insulate - Most homes built before the 80's are under-insulated. If you own an older house and haven't done so yet, re insulate everything (walls, floors, pipes, heating ducts, window and door frames) with R19 insulation at least. You will end up saving a lot on energy.

Get weather strips - Put them on all doors and windows. Remember to caulk any holes or cracks in the frames. Use quality caulking compounds, ask for advice at your local hardware store or home center.

Clean the chimney & the fireplace - Replace all old filters and remove dirt that would stay in the way of free airflow.

Turn down your thermostat - Wear a sweater and multiple light layers of clothing instead. Keep the levels at no higher than 20-22 C (68-72 F). When people are not present or at night, you may go down as much as 15 C (59-60 F).

Remove Dirt for Downspouts - Frozen dirt in the gutters can clog downspouts and cause splitting. If the downspouts happen to go below ground level, make sure to direct them to discharge at least eight feet away from the walls.

Limit Shower Time - Limiting your time spent in the shower to 5 minutes can save your several hundreds of dollars per year. Consider getting a shower timer that reduces the water flow after the specified time window.

Open the curtains - Let the sun warm up the house on clear days. Not only it brings positive feelings but sanitizes as well.

Seal air leaks - Find them by wetting your hand and checking manually. Seal them by caulking.

Get the furniture out of the way - Does your furniture block any registers or vents? Move them to the coldest wall in the house for additional insulation.