With winter quickly approaching, homeowners are preparing for another season of outrageous fuel prices. Either the price of fuel needs to come down or a new source of heating fuel needs to be discovered. n the meantime, there are a few options to consider that may make your home warmer this winter. For example, radiant floor heating systems can provide consistent and all-around heating. Window coverings, as well as installing new or additional insulation or sealing your homes cracks and holes can help keep the warmth in and the cold out.

Dealing with the cost to fill an oil tank, plus the expenses of regular everyday bills, people are really trying to find cheaper and more efficient ways to heat their homes. The cold is creeping up fast so the time to start preparing is now, especially because of the supply and demand for heating products.

For one of the easiest sources of home heat, try installing a pellet or a wood stove. “The pellet stove is the lazy man’s stove, while the wood stove is old reliable,” says Gary Asselin, owner of Fireside Stove. “Although pellet stoves can be a little expensive, they are the most popular,” he adds.

Using a wood or pellet stove to heat your home let’s you control the temperature, as well as saving up to 50% or more in heating energy costs. Have your new wood or pellet stove properly installed. Make sure you have everything you need such as wall protection, a chimney, floor protection, etc.

Another good source of efficient heating is a radiant floor heating system. A floor heating system eliminates the wasted heat traveling through the ducts or rising to the ceiling. This type of system maintains a consistent supply of heat throughout your home. t provides warm floors for when you step out of the shower or when you don’t want to freeze your bare feet. Floor heating systems can be installed in portions of your home or the entire house. With this type of heating, everything touching the floor contains the generated warmth. Jeff Allen, owner of Selco, says, “The heating systems can stay the same temperature while fuel is being saved.”

Today, the cost of living is high and saving money is very important. Americans are looking to keep the heat inside their homes and the cold out. Our friends at Decorator’s Network provide window products such as cellular shades to help with the heating situation. Larry Morin, owner of Decorator’s Network, says, “The biggest benefit of cellular shades is saving money.” And when they install these products in your home, they also offer a lifetime warranty. The fabric is durable, it can match any décor, and they even provide shades for skylights, where most heat is lost.

This winter, we all want more heat while saving as much money as we can. With a new or additional insulation application, you gain more energy efficiency. The benefits of having insulation and sealants installed include decreased fuel costs, fewer pollutants, increase in home value, and energy savings – all of which saves money in the long run. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “25 to 40% of energy for heating is lost through the cracks and holes.”

Home insulation includes three types – rolled fiberglass with paper or foil backing, loose blown-in-place insulation, and foam sheets or panels. These are all “resistance types of insulation since they resist the passage of heat.” Sealing your home as best you are able is an easy and inexpensive way to save energy and money.

Winter will be here before you know it, so start preparations now before the big freeze arrives. Whether you choose to install a wood stove, add insulation or window coverings, each step you take is going to work towards keeping your home warm and letting the furnace take some time off.