Each winter heating costs usually take a big chunk out of a household budget. To prevent unwanted costs, there are a few things that you can do to help reduce your heating bill for little or no money.  Here are 9 quick tips to help lower your heating costs:

1.Use your ceiling fan  - Yes, you read it right, ceiling fans can help lower energy consumption in the winter by up to 10%. Since hot air rises, a ceiling fan can help push the warmer air that is trapped near the ceiling back down into the room.  The warm air will circulate and the heating system does not overwork to warm the room.  To properly destratify a warmed room the ceiling fan should be run in a clockwise direction (source:http://www.srpnet.com/energy/ask/fans.aspx)

2.Set your thermostat - Use a programmable thermostat or set your heat to lower when you are sleeping or away from home for more than a few hours (source:http://marathon.uwex.edu/flp/heatingcosts.html )

3.Prune shrubs that maybe blocking airflow to your heat pump (source:http://www.boelckeheating.com/webapp/GetPage?pid=323 )

4.Schedule your laundry - Since your dryer sends lots of excess heat into the house, time your dryer cycles to supply heat when you need it, like during the day when you get home from work.  Running the dryer late at night when you go to bed is a waste since  you are already tucked under the covers (source: http://moneypit.com/article/lower-heating-costs )

5.Check for Drafts -Install plastic film over the windows to help stop drafts,  also check weather stripping around doors and repair where necessary (source:http://marathon.uwex.edu/flp/heatingcosts.html )

6.Open the curtains and window blinds - Take advantage of the sun’s energy.  During the day keep the blinds open and curtains pulled back to allow the sunlight to naturally heat the home.  However, at night keep shades tightly shut to insulate the glass and reduce drafts (source:http://moneypit.com/article/lower-heating-costs )

7.Close the door to unoccupied rooms and turn down the thermostat or turn off the heat for that room or area (source:http://www.doityourself.com/stry/furnaceboilerenergy )

8.Limit the use of kitchen and bath ventilating fans -Turn these fans off as soon as they are no longer needed.  Within an hour of use these fans can pull out heat in a house full of warmed air. (source:http://www.doityourself.com/stry/furnaceboilerenergy )

9.Clean your air filters - A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep your home warm resulting in wasted energy.  A clean filter also prevents dust and dirt from building up in the system which can lead to costly maintenance fees or early system failure (source:http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=heat_cool.pr_hvac )