With the arrival of cold weather in the Chicago area comes the inevitable rise in home heating bills. ABC has come up with some easy ways to save energy this winter and keep that heating and electric bill in check.

Check For Peak Utility Hours

Your local electric utility may have peak hours when rates are higher as well as hours when they are be lower.  If so, change when you use major appliances like dishwashers, washing machines and hot water.  You may be getting charged extra for electricity at certain times of day and not even know it.

Zone Your Home

Instead of using your home's central heating system and furnace all day long, opt for room heaters that you can use to heat just one room at a time.  This works great if you spend most of your day in a home office or for night time when your're only in the bedroom.

Switch To Energy Star Appliances

By choosing to replace your older appliances with Energy Star rated appliances you can become 15 to 30% more energy efficient. Energy Star rated appliances will also increase your home’s market value considerably.

Let The Sunshine In

On sunny days keep your blinds open all day long so your home can soak in the free heat of the sun.  Close them again at night to keep heat from escaping.

Install Energy Efficient Curtains

Putting up energy efficient curtains to seal in heat can make a very big difference in the amount of energy you use for heating your home.

Use a Programmable Thermostat

You'll never forget to turn down the heat when you leave for work or go to sleep.

Change Your Furnace Filters Regularly

As furnace filters get dirty your furnace has to work harder to push air through, meaning more energy is consumed.  Change your furnace filter once a month to help your furnace – and your family – breath easier.

Turn Your Hot Water Heater Temperature Down

Many water heaters are set to 140 degrees but most homeowners can easily turn their water heater down to 120 degrees and not even notice the difference.

Seal Off Your Chimney If Its Not Being Used

If your chimney is just for show, than make sure to seal it up.  Otherwise it's a large hole taking the heat right out of your home.

Reverse Your Ceiling Fans

Change your ceiling fans to the reverse setting to circulate the hot air back down to where you want it.

Close off unused rooms. If you aren’t spending time in them, seal them off for the winter and reduce the volume of air that you're heating.