It’s cold outside today, at least in my neck of the woods. Our thermostat tends to stay in one spot but some days it needs some adjusting. NRG Residential Solutions wants me to share some winter efficiency tips to help you all get through your cold weather season comfortably and within budget.

Cooler temperatures signal the change of the season and a time to enjoy some of our favorite traditions. As leaves change and crisp days offer the perfect backdrop for tossing the football, cooler temps are not only a relief but also a reminder that now is a great time to prep our homes for the winter months ahead.

•  Tune-up before you turn up the heat. A poorly functioning furnace can be an inconvenience, more importantly; it can be dangerous if left undetected. A qualified HVAC expert can help you inspect and maintain the key components of your system, including:
  • Chimneys and Fireplaces – Inspect and repair issues before colder temperatures set in. Make sure the flue damper works properly on your wood-burning fireplace so you can keep it closed when the fireplace is not in use.
  • Filters – Often one of the easiest things to check and change, filters act like lungs to keep the air in your home clean and pure. Replacing “congested” filters helps make sure that your system is not working overtime, using more energy than necessary, to do its job.
  • Fuel Lines – Last but not least, make sure a qualified expert checks all fuel lines for safety and functionality.
• Seal up the house. According to The Department of Energy, by reducing drafts in a home, energy savings can range from 5% to 30% per year, and the home is generally much more comfortable afterward. Check and replace the seals in your house, especially doors to the basement and attic. Try sliding a piece of paper through the crevice between the door and the frame; if it slips through, it’s time to replace the seal.
• Be energy smart about heating up. Once you’ve done everything to keep the heat in your house, it’s time to be smart about how you keep warm at home. Combining technology with some tried-and-true tools will go a long way to maximize energy efficiency. For instance:
  • Invest in learning. According to the Consumer Energy Center, even installing and setting a basic programmable can lower electricity bills by 10 percent. The next evolution beyond traditional programmable thermostats, newer versions, such as the Nest Learning Thermostat™ help set your home’s temperature efficiently by learning your patterns and helping ensure that you are not using energy unnecessarily when you don’t need to. The learning thermostat will learn your schedule and adjust itself automatically. You can even use a smartphone app to adjust the thermostat so your home is comfortably heated when you come back from work. While this technology sells for $249 at most home improvement stores, some energy providers, including NRG Residential Solutions, offer it for free as part of a plan that is designed to promote energy conservation.
  • Smart ways to keep cozy. Space heaters might be an obvious way to turn up the heat, but they can use a lot of energy and could potentially be a safety risk. If you’re one of those people who need to be extra toasty, consider energy efficient items like an electric blanket to stay warm instead. Don’t forget to take advantage of heat generated by the sun simply by opening blinds and curtains during the day to let the sunshine in.
  • Keep hot air from rising. When turning back the clock in the fall, turn fans clockwise for the winter to redirect air toward the living space, making the most of the warm air in the house.

Heating your home is one of the biggest expenses during the cooler months ahead. These simple steps can help make sure you are doing everything you can to be energy smart while still staying cozy during the winter months.

NRG Residential Solutions is a new innovative energy supplier focused on giving consumers choices in their services, control and plans to suit their needs and lifestyle. Being the energy provider for the Philadelphia Eagles stadium NRG Residential Solutions is giving away an Eagles prize pack shown below to one lucky LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! reader. The prize pack will include an Eagles Jersey

• One official Eagles team jersey(McCoy or Jackson)
• One Eagles scarf
• One NRG-branded mini football
• A $25 home improvement retail store gift card for you to purchase energy efficient products for your home

To enter simply share how you keep your own home  or family comfy and warm during the cold winter months.

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Your entries must follow the rules or they won’t be eligible for prizes. This contest ends 11:59 pm, Friday< December 20, 2013. The winners will be emailed and will have 48 hours to claim their prize. This contest is open to Contiguous US residents, age 18 or over. For complete rules please read our blog contest rules page.