With the increased cost of heating our homes, many people are thinking about ways to save energy and ways to save money, while still keeping their homes toasty and warm. Others aren’t as concerned with saving money but with saving energy. Either way here are some tips where you can do both.

First off, check for drafts. I know it seems kind of obvious but one of the most common ways for heat loss is through drafts around doors and windows. If it?s cold outside you can usually feel where the draft is coming from. You can also use something smoky like and incense stick and follow the smoke and see if it heads outside from cracks around windows and doors.

When you find the drafts you can use weather stripping to seal up the draft. If there is a draft under a door it?s easy to throw down a draft blocker or a rolled up towel. Some people get creative and do all kinds of creations with plastic, sheets, tape, etc. You?ll have to follow your budget and tastes on that one.

Some people like soft absorbent furniture with lots of pillows and throws. This can also make your room warmer. Not to mention cozier. Cold air can get absorbed in all of the cushioned softness, keeping things warmer.

Improvements in insulation techniques make it worthwhile to spend the money and have a professional come out and insulate your walls and attics. If you have an older drafty home this can be a worthwhile investment.

If you have an electric thermostat you can set it a little colder while you are at work or sleeping. But prevent the temperature from dropping so cold that it will be hard to warm it back up. This will save energy and money, plus keep your home comfortable.

Proper maintenance on your heating system, will make it run more efficiently and last for years to come. Have your furnace checked yearly for cleaning and lubrication and normal adjustments.

A fun and popular way to keep your home warmer is to use a fireplace. Some refer to this as zone heating. Where you put extra heat in the room that everyone is using, such as the family room with the fireplace, and then the thermostat can be set lower, to save on energy costs.

If your fireplace is old and drafty it can be made more efficient with a new modern fireplace insert. You can get gas or electric. It will burn more efficiently and distribute the heat better.

Some clean burning gas fireplaces have blowers which help distribute the heat throughout the room. Once again helping to create that zone that helps to lower the temperature on the thermostat. Modern fireplaces and accessories have really come a long way.

Whatever methods you use to warm up your home don?t forget about sweatshirts and blankets. Lights some candles and make some warm drinks and sit back and relax. Oh and if you don?t have a fireplace you could always check out the electric fireplace it is an affordable and portable option.