With heating fuel prices generally lower than last year's levels, many homeowners this winter could be in for a pleasant surprise when they open their monthly bills. Those who take steps to improve energy efficiency might even start to recover some of the extra cash they spent keeping warm over the last few years.

The easiest way to reduce energy consumption in your home is to simply lower your thermostat in the winter. The optimal setting for homeowners is between 66 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit in the daytime, according to Energy Star, a joint program of the EPA and the Department of Energy. A few other ways to save include making sure your fireplace damper is closed when not in use, closing vents in unused rooms and turning the switch on ceiling fans (if you've got them) to "reverse" to help push warm air down from the ceiling. If you've got a fireplace with a wire mesh screen, consider replacing the screen with glass doors, which are better at preventing heat loss. In the end, if you take steps to winterize your home, you and the environment come out ahead. Lower energy use, of course, translates into lower utility bills, less air pollution from power plants and a stronger economy. Click to read the entire "Winterizing Your Home" article By Shelly K. Schwartz • Bankrate.com Search all listings in Michigan with pictures and tours...Free! Kathy Toth & Team: Ann Arbor Area Real Estate Experts www.KathyToth.com Real Estate One