As temperatures drop, Heating bills soar. Furnaces work overtime trying to stave off the cold and keep us warm and cozy at home.

The average cost per month is $183 for electricity and $82 for natural gas. How much of the average the actual heating portion of your bill depends upon the type of heat you use — electric or gas — and individual usage patterns.

Fortunately, there are some simple ways to save on your heating bill this winter.

1. Buy Oil Early

About 5.7 million homes use heating oil as their primary source of heat in winter. If you use heating oil, buy it early. You can save money by purchasing your heating oil in bulk before peak season hits. You’ll want to watch market trends, so you don’t pay more than you should, but overall you should save money if you buy your oil before there is more demand.

2. Seal Leaks

One of the simplest things you can do to reduce your heating bill is seal leaks around the home that might allow warm air to escape and cold air to enter. About 50 percent of the heat loss in a house during winter is through leaks. Start with your windows. Inexpensive insulating film is available at most home supply stores. You can also invest in insulated curtains to keep drafts at bay. New weather-stripping around doors does wonders for keeping out the cold.

3. Beef up Old Garage Doors

A garage door allows cold air into the garage, which can impact the temperatures inside your home, especially if insulation is lacking. Gaps around the door or a door that isn’t insulated ascerbates the problem. Enforce aluminum garage doors with insulation between panels for better efficiency. If the door needs replaced anyway, seek a door with better energy efficiency.

4. Use the Sun to Heat up Rooms

Look at which rooms in your house are south facing and open up drapes and blinds during the sunniest part of the day to help heat those rooms. On north-facing windows, add insulated curtains. When the sun goes down, close drapes to keep the heat inside.

5. Turn Down the Temperature

Lower your thermostat. You can save as much as 10 percent a year by turning your thermostat back 7-10 degrees for eight hours a day. Bundle up or use a space heater in the room you’re in most often. A programmable thermostat is a wise investment that allows you to automatically lower the temperature at night or when everyone is out of the house for the day and turn it back up when you’re at home.

6. Use Other Heat Sources

If you bake something in the oven, open up the door and let the heat escape into the room as the stove cools. Using heat already in your home from other sources lessens how much you need to pay for. Burn wood in your indoor fireplace to increase warmth and make your home feel cozier. Leave the bathroom door open after a warm shower, so the heat escapes into the rest of your home.

7. Seal Your Furnace

Hire an HVAC professional to inspect and seal your furnace before cold weather hits. If your furnace isn’t sealed properly, you’re losing air and it isn’t running at maximum efficiency. Change air filters regularly, clean out ducts and make sure everything is running at peak efficiency for safety and money savings.

Go on a Budget

Call your utility company and inquire about whether it offers an energy audit. Many utility companies provide this service for free and will help you identify areas that need improving, which can lower your energy costs. Also, ask about a budget plan that allows you to pay a steady rate rather than being hit with a massive bill during winter months. It’s just another small thing you can do to see big savings on your energy bills.

Scott Huntington is a writer from central Pennsylvania. He enjoys working on his home and garden with his wife and 2 kids. Follow him on Twitter @SMHuntington