Tri-state residents could be paying more to stay warm this winter.

Below are some tips to help you save on your heating bills this year:

Air that leaks through your home’s outer walls, doors, basements, and windows wastes a lot of energy, increases your energy bills, and can lead to an unhealthy indoor environment. Click here for tips on how to do it yourself, or how to find a contractor.

Keep doors and windows closed while running your heating to reduce air loss.

Clear areas in front of vents from furniture. Blocked vents require up to 25% more energy to distribute air, according to National Grid.

Heating and cooling can account for more than half of the energy use in a typical U.S. home, often making it the largest energy expense. By upgrading to newer, more efficient technologies, you will save energy, which can lower your heating and cooling costs.

Perform regular heating maintenance. Change filters monthly to improve air quality and reduce energy use. Establish a maintenance contract with your vendor for regular tune-ups, which help decrease equipment breakdowns and unnecessary air loss.

Lower your water heater setting to 120°F to save energy and prevent scalding.

Calibrate your thermostats to ensure accurate readings. Adjust your thermostat up or down depending on the season, and lower the setting any time your home is unoccupied. Use programmable thermostats to adjust heating and cooling when rooms are unoccupied.

When not spending time in certain areas of your home, turn down the heat supply to those rooms to reduce your energy usage.

Need assistance paying the cost of heating? Click in the link for your state’s energy assistance below: