Chestnuts roasting on an open fire....or not?????

Ways to put the chill on high heating costs: Jay Romano of the New York Times say.. With winter approaching, and no signs of heating costs dropping with the temperatures, homeowners will be looking for ways to get the biggest bang for their energy dollar.
Lorene Bartos, an educator for the University of Nebraska Lincoln Extension recites a list of standard energy-saving actions: caulk and weatherstrip windows and doors,insulate the attic, seal or remove window air-conditioners, clean or replace furniture filters.
But there are other ways to save on energy costs, she said.
For example, homeowners can use passive solar heat by allowing sunlight in through south facing windows. At the same time, windows facing west and north should have window shades down or window treatments closed to keep heat inside, and all windows should be covered at night.
Check heating ducts for leaks and seal with duct mastic covered with fiberglass mesh and another layer of mastic.
Ted Funk, an extension specialist in agricultural engineering at the University of Illinois in Urbana, said homeowners should be careful about using a fireplace to supplement their heat.
"A fireplace is a recipe for heat loss," he said, explaining that even with glass doors, fireplaces may be no more than 40 percent efficient.
Owners might also want to conduct a Web-based audit of their homes that will provide some tips for energy saving. "Lawrence Berkeley Labs has a good energy-saving tool," he said. "You put in your ZIP code and it will show you some priorities to work on." (The Web site: hes.lbl.gov)
Celia Kuperszmid Lehrman, a deputy editor of Consumer Reports in Yonkers, says using a programmable thermostat is usually a good idea. Setting the temperature back to 65 or so overnight. or during the day when no one will be home, can save money.
One thing to be cautious about is offers from alternative energy providers, she said. Sometimes these offers, which seem to promise savings, include late fees and cancellation fees.
Another way to save energy is to install a tankless water heater. With tankless heaters, the water is heated only when the hot water is being used. (Tank-type heaters keep the water at a preset temperature all the time.
"But the best thing about a tankless heater is that you never run out of hot water," said Henry Gifford, owner of Architecture and Energy Ltd. in Manhattan.
Hope some of these hints will help you save some money and in turn save energy.