No question, the mid-west winters can be brutal and winter chill has set in and will be with us for at least a few more months, but there is no reason why you cannot stay cozy in your home.  Here are a few tips to help keep your house warmer in the winter and save a few bucks.

1.Make sure your furnace is running efficiently; have your furnace serviced annually to keep it running at peak performance and change your filter on a regular basis (most are monthly).  This will keep it running smoothly which means a warmer house and a smaller bill.  In addition to your furnace, consider installing a digital thermostat that you can program to go down when you leave the house or go to bed and start to warm up before you get out of bed in the morning.  The up-front nominal cost of purchasing a digital thermostat and installing it will be small compared to the money you will save on your gas bill, not to mention the convenience of being able to operate your thermostat remotely (if you opt for that feature).  There are several good brands, check with your local hardware store for the one that best fits your needs.

2. Use hot humidifiers, the warm humid air will help your sinuses and warm up the rooms they are operating in; next to your couch, bed, and desk are great spots.  If you close the door it will keep the heat in.  You may also want to consider opening the vents in the room you use and closing them in rooms you do not use, this forces the air where you want it.

3. Other things to consider are adding rugs to rooms that have hard wood or tile, seal any window or doors that are letting in cold air, check that your attic is properly insulated (so that the warm air is not escaping from you house) and lastly wrap up in a blanket and a warm beverage; warming up from the inside and outside is a sure-fire way to feeling warm and cozy in no time.