Heating bills are skyrocketing in most parts of the country with natural gas cost escalation. A home that has drafts is difficult to heat and drives the cost up even farther. Insulating the home will save on both heating and cooling.

Windows should be air tight and draft free. Many people are replacing windows and taking care of these drafts before retirement comes around. If you can't afford to replace them, use caulking to insulate around the frames, sills and panes. In the winter, the use of plastic sheeting provides further insulation.

Inner doors are relatively inexpensive to replace. Weather stripping on the doors leading to the outside provides good insulation and protection from the cold.

Radiant heat fireplaces or radiant heaters can provide extra comfort for the rooms you inhabit most. The main thermostat can be lowered to a temperature of 67 or 68 degrees. I have two thermostats, one controls the temperature for the main living areas and the other is for the bedrooms. Bedrooms are kept at a lower temperature than the rest of the house.

Many of these precautionary measures can be taken care of by the homeowner. Don't forget to have the chimney checked. Damaged bricks and linings can result in heat escape.

Insulate and use alternate methods of heating. These actions will lower the overall heating cost.

Learn more about this author, Mona Gallagher.
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