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7 tips to winterize your home and save money in the cold weather

**Find the leaks and use weatherstripping** Check the seal around windows and doors by holding a candle flame at spots around the edges. If the flame moves, you have a leak. “Sometimes, even ductwork in your house and in the ceiling where the lights are — there’s air leaking in through all those different places,” Alliance to Save Energy President Kateri Callahan said. (Thinkstock)

Mike Arick of Arick and Sons Insulation Co. in Columbus, Ohio, blows cellulose insulation into the attic of a pole barn at a residence in Powell, Ohio, Friday, Jan. 20, 2006. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon) — **Adequate insulation** It’s bad news if you can see your attic joists. “If attic insulation is at the level of the joist or below, you probably need to add insulation,” Callahan said. (Thinkstock)

Technician looking over a gas furnace with a flashlight before cleaning it. — **Check the HVAC system** Have your HVAC system checked once a year by a professional, “and make sure the filters are clean,” Callahan said. “If you’re trapping the air flow, you’re wasting energy.” (Thinkstock)

There are several simple steps that you can take to keep your winter energy bill in check. (Thinkstock) — **Install a programmable thermostat** Prices have fallen fairly dramatically, she said, and “they’re easy to install, or you can have a professional install it, of course.” Programmable thermostats can save a significant amount of money, Callahan said, “but they only work if you program them.” (Thinkstock)

**Reverse your ceiling fan** Ceiling fans can be used to move warm air that is trapped on the ceiling down into a room if blades move in a clockwise or “reverse” direction. That pushes air down the sides of the room and improves the distribution of heat. (Thinkstock)

Couple relaxing at the fireplace on winter eveningRelaxing at the fireplace on winter evening — **Be wise with the chimney** Using a fireplace can suck warm air out of your home. Make sure the damper/flue is completely closed when the fireplace has cooled completely. (Thinkstock)

**Dress for cozy success** During the energy crisis of the 1970s, President Jimmy Carter advised families to turn down the thermostat and dress warmly, Callahan remembers. “Put on a sweater,” Carter said. (Thinkstock)

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WASHINGTON — A few easy steps can help you save money on energy bills and make your home more comfortable this winter.

“The most important thing to do is seal those leaks and make sure you’ve got the appropriate amount of insulation,” said Alliance to Save Energy President Kateri Callahan.

“Little leaks can add up.”

Callahan said that in a typical house that hasn’t been properly sealed and insulated, all the little leaks can be equivalent to leaving open a 3-foot-by-3-foot window.

Click through the gallery for advice on how to save on your bills.

Kristi King

Kristi King is a veteran reporter who has been working in the WTOP newsroom since 1990. She covers everything from breaking news to consumer concerns and the latest medical developments.