If you’ve been burning the midnight oil in hopes of finding a way to reduce your home-heating costs, you are not alone.

With the recent rise in home energy prices, and predictions for a colder winter, experts are already forecasting that energy prices are likely to remain higher during the winter heating season and beyond. In an effort to hedge against these high winter prices, the propane industry is encouraging homeowners to take early precautions by keeping their propane tanks full throughout the winter months, and carefully maintaining their propane home appliances.

In addition to saving when it comes to home heating, the U.S. Department of Energy reports that using propane to run a home’s range, water heater, dryer or furnace may cut energy costs by as much as half.

According to Roy Willis, president of the Propane Education & Research Council (the Council), “Propane provides consumers with a clean, efficient and cost-effective home energy source. To ensure a warm home and steady energy supply during harsh winter weather, homeowners should stock up on propane now, and conserve energy within their homes to cut down on costs,” added Willis. 

The Propane Educational and Research Council and the National Propane Gas Association offer these tips for helping to reduce your home energy costs even further:

• Change your furnace filter monthly. Clean filters often result in savings.
  
• Protect against drafts by caulking and weather stripping around windows and doors.
  
• If you are thinking of adding a fireplace, consider adding one fueled by propane. Propane fireplaces are said to heat more evenly and burn more efficiently than wood-burning models.
  
• You may save more than 10 percent on your hot-water bill by turning down your water heater from the standard 140 degrees to 130 degrees.
  
• To extend your water heater’s life and increase energy efficiency, drain and clean your water heater every six months.
  
• Ranges that use propane gas with electronic ignition systems will use 40 percent less energy than a standing pilot system.