News-Record.com

I know. Today it was 70-something degrees, and heat probably is the last thing on your mind.

But, as we reported last week, the NOAA is predicting that this winter will be 6 percent colder than last year's unseasonably warm home-heating season. That's still not too chilly - the Energy Information Administration is predicting home-heating savings of about $45 for the average household.

Still, that doesn't mean you shouldn't conserve.

The N.C. Attorney General's office released a home-heating tip sheet this week. Here's what Roy Cooper advises the state's consumers to do:

* Set your thermostat low - at 68 degrees or lower for top savings.

* Keep the temperature steady to ensure your heater works best.

* Make sure your vents, radiators and heating strips aren't blocked.

* Open your blinds and curtains during the day to catch some warmth from sunlight. Close them at night for another layer of insulation.

* Skip fires, which draw air warmed by your heating system out of the house.

* Don't run bathroom and kitchen ventilation fans constantly - they also pull air out of the house. Use ceiling fans to move warm air.

* Close unused rooms and don't heat them.

* Vacuum your vents and heaters and change or clean your filters regularly.

* Install weatherstripping around windows and doors to block leaks.

* Insulate your floors, ceilings, walls, attic, ducts, pipes and your hot-water heater. The higher the "R-value" on the insulation, the better job it does.

* Don't buy into cost-reduction offers that are too good to be true.

* If you're replacing your heating system, pick an energy-efficient model. It might cost more up-front, but it will save you cash long-term.