Get your home ready for the winter weather by making your home more energy efficient:

1. Caulk around windows to keep warm air from escaping and cold air from entering. Even if you have done this in the past, caulking needs to be replaced periodically.

2. Replace weatherstripping around doors. If you can see light around the edges of your exterior doors, an investment of a few dollars to install weatherstripping can save you money each month.

3. If you have older windows and doors, adding storm windows and doors can also help you save money on heating costs. A more economical measure would be to install plastic film over windows.

4. Use heavy drapes and rugs to keep rooms warmer and add an insulation layer on wood or tile floors.

5. Change the filter in your furnace. Dirty filters cause furnaces to run harder, wasting fuel. Be sure to get your furnace or boiler serviced annually for maximum efficiency.

6. Programmable thermostats can make it easy to control temperatures in your home, especially when the home is not occupied.

7. Lower the thermostat when everyone is sleeping, and use additional blankets if necessary.

8. Dress appropriately by wearing cold weather clothing indoors such as sweaters and sweatshirts to keep warm, rather than turning up the thermostat.

9. Keep your water heater set at no higher than 1200 degrees .

10. Sign up for a home energy audit from NPU. It’s easy — schedule an audit at your convenience by calling Lantern Energy at   or completing an online form at lanternenergy.com/schedulean-assessment/