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There’s nothing like grabbing your favorite blanket, a mug of hot chocolate, and a good book when it’s too cold to go out. This kind of cozy comfort shouldn’t cost you a dime, however. If your utility bills skyrocket as the temperature drops, there are some things you can do to keep those bills up to date. Here are some tips from professionals specializing in heating and cooling repairs to help Lower your energy bill

Check the weather stripping within your home. Did you know that between 7 and 12 percent of your home’s heat loss occurs around windows and doors? To avoid this type of loss, replace the worn and cracked seal. Be sure to put a seal protector on the underside of the doors, then seal the doors and windows every couple of years to prevent the loss of hot air.

Do not let daylight through your doors. If you see the light coming in through the underside of the front door, you can bet that hot air is escaping through the gap. The best way to solve this problem is to adjust the threshold under the door. Most ceilings have a few different screws that you can use to change their height and eliminate the gap. Turn each screw counterclockwise until the crack disappears.

Eliminate drafts from electrical socket. Electrical boxes on the outside walls are usually have drafted. This is because the insulation is not permanently installed behind and around them as intended. To prevent hot air from escaping in these drafty areas, fill in the small gaps with acrylic latex sealant. Then cover the outlet with a foam seal and put the cover plate back on.

Fill in all the holes in the outside walls. Several different pipes, cables, and wires run outside the house and run through the walls. Although many have been sealed with caulking, the caulking will eventually have to be replaced. Old caulking allows air to escape through the cracks and skyrocketing your utility bills. Replace damaged and cracked seals to prevent leakage at the first sign of a draft.

Set your oven regularly. Your oven is an appliance made up of various components and parts. If any of these parts are not working correctly, it will affect the stove’s ability to heat your home. Identify minor issues before costly repairs are undertaken by scheduling regular adjustments. An HVAC professional will check your system to ensure your ducts are not leaking and that everything is working properly to heat your home.