Winter is coming closer everyday and while some are busy planning for Thanksgiving and the holidays, others are dreading the cold weather and the hefty heating bills that come along with it. Luckily there are some easy, green ways to prepare for Winter without wasting too much time or money.

-Be strategic! Try to bake in the early afternoon so your oven warms up your house.

-Replace lightbulbs with energy-efficient models, like CFLs. They may contain a small amount of Mercury, but they also use 1/4 of the energy a regular light bulb uses and last 10 times longer. Also save energy by unplugging all of your electronics when they're not being used- you might consider using a power bar which you can switch on/off in areas of your home that have quite a few electronics.

-Make sure to store any window-based air conditioners so that no cold air can seep inside. You might want to seal off windows with reusable or recycled plastic to prevent any cold air from entering. Also make sure that no air can come in under any doors.

-Make sure to put an extra blanket on your bed and invest in (or knit!) some warm slippers. If you're feet are warm, you'll be less likely to turn up the thermostat.

-Invest in a programmable thermostat so you can control how much energy you are using.

-Don't forget to open all your curtains during the day to let as much sunlight warm your home as possible!

What are some ideas you have used to Winterize your home? Share it with us in the comments! Also check out fauxfire.com for an instant fireplace anywhere!

Image courtesy of Creative Commons.

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