Use zone heating: To avoid wasting energy - and money - don't heat a room you're not using, close doors and/or vents to that room. (To avoid damage to your central heating system, close off no more than one-fourth of the area of your home.)

Check the flue: The hot air emitted from your heating system escapes out of your chimney almost as effectively as heat and smoke from your fireplace do. When you're not using the fireplace, close the damper tightly.

Bundle up your home, too: Keep all your exterior doors tightly shut and try to avoid frequent in-and-out traffic. Stylish, padded door runners help reduce drafts under doorways (in a pinch, towels also work).

Know your numbers: Set your thermostat to 69^oF or less during the day, 60^oF or less at night (or when you leave your home for more than four hours). If you have heat pump space heating, lower your thermostat no more than 5 degrees to assure efficient operation.

Bundle up: If you're chilly, try putting on a sweater or throwing an extra blanket on the bed before you turn up the thermostat.

Don't overheat: Don't turn your thermostat higher than normal to heat your home faster. It won't work.

Keep your thermostat away from open windows and drafts: The cool air will make your heating system work harder.