As the weather cools and the temptation to crank up the heat intensifies, consider ways you can warm up your home a little bit without using electricity.

For example:

• Invite heat from the sun indoors. Open the curtains during the day on windows facing south to let sunrays in and close them at night to keep out the chill.
• If your windows are old, single-pane or otherwise drafty, cover them with clear plastic so the cold outdoor air won’t penetrate them. If they’re still drafty after that, cover them with insulating drapes or shades.
• Pump caulk into leaks around windows, doors and any holes in the wall where cable or telephone cords enter the home.
• Schedule a maintenance check with a licensed HVAC professional before it gets too cold outside. The tech can resolve any issues that might cause your furnace to shut down during the winter.