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Save money and improve your home’s energy efficiency by “winterizing your home.” Cover drafty windows with plastic or heavy drapery and keep your thermostat as low as possible at night and when you’re away from home. Programmable thermostats make remembering to lower your heat easier. You’ll also want to find and seal air leaks with caulk and weather stripping, make sure your heating system receives annual maintenance and keep dampers closed in fireplaces to lessen heat loss when they’re not in use. If your house is inadequately insulated, the department of energy resources has suggestions on where and how to make insulation improvements. For more ideas, check out the Commonwealth’s Energy Smarts blog, which shares energy saving tips. For longer term saving strategies, be sure to schedule an annual, free home energy audit. Income eligible families can also take advantage of weatherization assistance programs.