When the first real cold snap arrives, most of us reach for the thermostat and hope the bill won’t sting. The good news is that a few small habits, most of them free or close to it, can keep the whole family comfortable while easing the budget.
What you pay this year depends a lot on how you heat. In an outlook published October 7, 2026, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said it expects average spending this winter to fall about 9% for homes heated with natural gas and about 3% for homes heated with propane. Homes that heat with electricity, which covers more than 40% of households, are expected to see bills rise about 4% on average. The roughly 3% of homes that rely on heating oil, mostly in the Northeast, face the steepest climb: about 21% more than last winter.
Start with the thermostat
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Saver program suggests keeping it as low as feels comfortable while you’re home, starting around 68 to 70 degrees and adjusting from there. When everyone is out for the day or tucked into bed, turning it back 7 to 10 degrees for at least eight hours a day can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling, according to the same guidance.
A programmable or smart thermostat makes this painless, because it can warm the house back up before you come home or before the alarm clock rings. ENERGY STAR says a smart thermostat can save around $100 a year for homes with high heating and cooling bills or homes that sit empty much of the day.
Stop the drafts and use your windows
Warm air that slips out through gaps is money leaving the house. ENERGY STAR notes that heat escapes through a home’s outer shell, including walls, windows, doors and other openings, and that sealing air leaks and adding insulation in places like the attic, basement and floors over crawl spaces can save homeowners an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs.
Your curtains can help too. Energy Saver recommends opening the curtains and blinds on south-facing windows in the morning so the sun can warm your rooms for free, then closing them at night to hold that heat in. According to the same tip, tightly fitted cellular shades can cut heat loss through windows by about 40%, while most ordinary draperies reduce it by up to 10%.
Give the furnace a little care
A clogged filter makes your heating system work harder. ENERGY STAR advises checking the filter every month, especially in winter, and changing it at least every three months. It also recommends a yearly tune-up to keep the system running efficiently, and says that sealing and insulating ductwork in attics, crawl spaces, unheated basements and garages can improve heating and cooling efficiency by as much as 20%. For safety, the U.S. Fire Administration also urges a yearly professional cleaning and inspection of heating equipment and chimneys.
Use space heaters safely
A space heater can make a chilly room cozy, but it deserves respect. The U.S. Fire Administration reports that heating was the second leading cause of home fires in 2021, with an estimated 32,200 home heating fires and 190 deaths that year. From 2017 to 2019, portable heaters were involved in only 3% of home heating fires but 41% of the deadly ones. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Fire Administration offer these simple rules:
- Give it room. Keep at least three feet of space on all sides between the heater and beds, clothing, curtains, furniture, papers and anything else that can burn.
- Plug it straight into the wall. Don’t use an extension cord or power strip, and don’t run the cord under rugs.
- Set it on a flat, steady surface where it can’t be knocked over, and keep children and pets away from it.
- Turn it off when you leave the room or go to sleep.
- Watch for warning signs. If the cord or plug feels hot, unplug the heater and have it checked. You can also look up your model on SaferProducts.gov to see whether it has been recalled.
- Never use the oven to heat your home.
Don’t forget carbon monoxide alarms
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas you can’t see or smell. It can build up when a furnace, heater or other fuel-burning appliance isn’t working or venting properly. The U.S. Fire Administration recommends carbon monoxide alarms in a central spot outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says interconnected alarms work best, since when one sounds they all sound, and it advises testing alarms monthly and replacing batteries as needed. After a snowstorm, clear snow away from outside vents for the furnace, dryer, stove and fireplace. And if an alarm ever goes off, don’t ignore it: get everyone outside right away and call 911.
A few smart changes now can mean a warmer, safer and more affordable winter for everyone under your roof.
This article is general information, not professional safety or medical advice. If you suspect carbon monoxide exposure or a heating problem, leave the home, call 911, and contact a qualified professional.
What is your family’s favorite trick for staying warm without cranking up the heat? Share in the comments below.
Sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration, “Mixed outlook for energy expenditures this winter” (Oct. 7, 2026); U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver tip on winter thermostat settings (Feb. 2, 2024); U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver tip on window coverings (Mar. 1, 2024); ENERGY STAR, “Heat & Cool Efficiently”; ENERGY STAR, “Why Seal and Insulate?”; U.S. Fire Administration, “Heating Fire Safety” (reviewed May 4, 2023); U.S. Fire Administration, “Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention” (reviewed Sept. 21, 2026); U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, “CPSC Issues Winter Weather Safety Tips to Prevent Fires and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning” (Mar. 16, 2026); U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, “7 Highly Effective Portable Heater Safety Habits”.
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