This post, Staying Warm in Winter, is part of a series from the Cornell Cooperative Extension Energy and Climate Change team focused on Do-It-Yourself projects for your home or apartment. Energy costs are likely to continue increasing, and not just electric. A recent proposal by NYSEG would raise natural gas bills for the average customer by $34 per month starting in April 2026. Finding ways to reduce your overall energy use can be an important step in managing costs. Many low-cost / no-cost actions will make your home more efficient, comfortable, and affordable.

These projects are not meant to replace an energy audit or comprehensive air sealing or insulation work. For more on getting started, please visit our friends at Smart Energy Choices (link).

If you rent and are not able to make repairs to your living space, we have additional information at the bottom of this post. We recommend giving the whole thing a read, though.

Your Energy Bill

Whether you heat your space with a Condensing Boiler, a Forced-Air Furnace, Electric Baseboard or Space Heating, a Heat Pump, or a Woodstove, heating your home in the winter is almost certainly your largest use of energy and biggest part of your utility expenses.

Our friendly, local Community Energy Advisors have a series of workshops designed to educate residents on their energy costs. Check them out here.

According to the US Department of Energy, lowering your thermostat by ten degrees can save you up to 10% on your annual energy bill. Setting your thermostat lower when you are away, such as during the day while you are at work, can help keep energy costs lower.

Programmable thermostats and heat pumps can often do this automatically. Set the thermostat to 68 degrees or lower during the day and 62 degrees at night while sleeping.

Mind the Gaps

Heat can escape from your house in a lot of different ways from a lot of different gaps, cracks, and holes in the building. New York State has some of the oldest housing stock in the country, much of which is in poor condition or otherwise is relatively energy inefficient. Finding ways to block up some of these gaps can help keep heat in.

Windows and Doors

Check all windows and doors in your living space. Exterior doors and windows in the attic and basement are major culprits. Below are some DIY projects that can help you get started:

• DIY Doorsweeps can block up gaps below exterior doors, and are ‘stick on’ or ‘slide on’ fixtures. Sliding door sweeps that can be easily removed may be advantageous for renters, but some may require screws or other fixtures.
  • Make sure to get a door sweep that fits the length of your door. You can always cut a door sweep down, but we haven’t found one you can stretch to fit.
  • Also, make sure to purchase (or make, if you’re ambitious) a sweep that will fit in the gap beneath your door. A sweep that is too large will get stuck, and one that is too short won’t work.

You can also use a rolled carpet or blanket, which is what my grandmother used to use. This can look nice, but it is typically less effective, and it won’t reset itself after you leave and close the door.

• For windows, especially single-pane glass, plastic wrap insulation can be an effective way to keep the heat in. This method can also be useful for renters, as it is easy to take off and does not typically impact the paint underneath.
  • For this type of project, start by wiping down the window sill and all the way around.
  • Attach the double-sided sticky strip along the window.
  • Cut the plastic sheet to match the dimensions of the window.
  • Remove the last wrapping along the sticky strip, which reveals the adhesive underneath.
  • Attach the plastic wrap to the sticky strip and stretch it to fit the whole window.
  • Use a hair dryer to remove any wrinkles or bubbles in the sheet of plastic. This will help create a tighter seal and make the barrier more effective. Don’t hold the hair dryer too close, or you’ll melt the wrap.
• Another option for windows is to caulk the gaps. This can be quicker and cheaper if only one part of the window casement is leaking air, such as the part along the bottom.

Caulk cord can be purchased off the shelf. Then, simply roll out enough to fit the gap you are trying to seal, cut it, and press it into place. Check out the tips and video from our friends at PowerHouse.

All of these projects are no substitute for properly insulating and air sealing your home. For this, we always recommend a professional. NYS homeowners can access a free energy audit through NYSERDA. To get started, please call our friends at Smart Energy Choices at (607) 272-2292 and ask for the Hub.

Annual Reminders

As the old saying goes, you either schedule a time for maintenance or maintenance will schedule a time for you. Regularly cleaning and maintaining heating equipment can save you money by increasing efficiencies and extending the life of your equipment. Regularly clean or replace filters on heat pumps and forced air systems.

For furnaces, your filter will look something like this:
Make sure to size the filter to your system.

For heat pump systems, each head unit will have its own filter. Regularly cleaning that filter will help air flow and keep the system running efficiently.

To clean a heat pump filter, remove it from the heat pump unit, and then run it under cool water. Wipe it down with a washcloth – avoid paper towel since the paper can fall apart and get stuck in the filter. Then, let it dry, and replace. You’ll need to clean the filter at different times depending on what goes on in the room where it is. For dusty or heavy traffic spaces, like kitchens or garages, you’ll need to clean more often than for bedrooms.

• Having a regular tune-up of your forced air system by a professional can save about 10% on your energy bills each year and extend the life of the system, preventing costly emergency repairs. The same goes for regular duct or chimney cleaning.
• Keep the areas around vents and radiators clear of any obstructions, especially cloth, as this will reduce fire risk and allow heat to circulate more easily.
• If you heat with wood, make sure the wood is seasoned, either at purchase or seasoned on site.
• With woodstoves, make sure the damper is closed when not in use. Heat will go up and out the chimney otherwise.

Taking these steps can help reduce your energy use while maintaining a comfortable home. Many of these projects can be done by renters as well. For any additional assistance or any questions about these projects, please feel free to give us a ring.
Chris Skawski, Energy & Climate Change Team Leader 607-272-2292 ext. 293