As Fall comes to a close and colder weather begins to invade northern states, many homeowners are rushing to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. While major improvements like installing a high-efficiency furnace or replacement windows will yield the highest savings, there are a number of smaller fixes homeowners can make that will help control monthly utility spending. Most of these small fixes can be made in a relatively short amount of time and are fairly inexpensive.

1. Inspect the exterior caulking around existing windows and doors for gaps and cracks, which will allow cold air to enter the home. Use a high-quality silicone caulk, which can be purchased at any local hardware store, to fill gaps and cracks.
2. Use expandable foam insulation to seal gaps around exterior vents and pipes to prevent cold air infiltration.
3. Add additional insulation to attics and exterior-facing walls to reduce heat loss. For easily accessible areas like attics, consider fiberglass or reflective insulation products; for un-insulated exterior walls, blown-in cellulose insulation can be used.
4. Furnaces should be inspected and cleaned to ensure they are running at optimal performance levels.
5. Reverse ceiling fans to push warm air down toward the floor for greater comfort. When looking up at the fan, it should be moving in a clockwise direction.
6. Install heavier, wall-length curtains to reduce heat loss above and below windows when sunlight is not shining through them.
7. Place shrinkable plastic sheeting over the interiors of windows. While this is not the most attractive solution, it is fairly easy to do and relatively inexpensive.
8. Consider placing storm windows over the exterior of existing windows to reduce heat loss and prevent drafts.
9. Consider replacing existing windows a couple at a time to ease the expense associated with replacement, while benefiting from the return received from lower monthly energy bills.