You have probably heard the advice to turn down your thermostat to help save energy.  This can be a great way to cut costs, and you quickly get used to the adjusted temperature.  In our home, the nighttime temperature drops to around 55 degrees, which is perfectly comfortable when you snuggle up under the blankets, and it gives us an excuse to be close.

During the day, a simple sweater can make the difference if you drop the temperature by 5-10 degrees.  According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save 10 percent on your heating bill by lowering your temperature 10-15 degrees for eight hours.  If you start by reducing it by 7-8 degrees and lowering it gradually as you adjust, soon you will not notice the temperature difference at all.

Imagine if you could drop your overall temperature all day, every day, by about 10 degrees.  That can add up to some pretty impressive savings on your heating bill, and once you are used to the lower temperature, you will be as comfortable as you were when it was higher.

The exception to keeping your home a cool 60-65 degrees is if you have a newborn baby.  They are not able to regulate their own temperature, so be certain they are staying warm in your home and wait until the baby is older to begin reducing the temperature.

With a 10 percent savings, you could use the reduction in your power bill to pay for other utilities, such as cable or telephone, and know that you are doing something to help offset high energy use elsewhere.