Heating and cooling account for about 56% of the energy use in a typical U.S. home. This makes it the largest energy expense for most people, and the biggest opportunity for saving money on your energy bill.

When looking for ways to save energy in your home, be sure to think about not only improving your existing heating and cooling system, but also consider simply replacing your system altogether. New technologies in heating and cooling can dramatically lower your energy cost if your current system is more than 10 years old. 

Here are some tips for saving money on your heating and cooling costs.

1. Clean or replace filters on furnaces once a month or as needed.
2. Use fans during the summer to create a wind chill effect that will make your home more comfortable. If you use air conditioning, a ceiling fan will allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4°F with no reduction in comfort.
3. Turn off kitchen, bath, and other ventilating fans within 20 minutes after you are done cooking or bathing to retain heated air.
4. Install a programmable thermostat that can be adjust the temperature according to your schedule.
5. When you’re ready to replace your heating and cooling system, install Energy Star approved appliances. They can cut your energy bills by up to 30 percent. 
6. Insulate your hot water heater and hot water pipes to prevent heatloss.
7. Insulate heating ducts in unheated areas such as attics and crawlspaces and keep them in good repair to prevent heat loss of up to 60 percent at the registers.
8. In warm climates, where summertime heat gain is the main concern, look for windows with double glazing and spectrally selective coatings that reduce heat gain.
9. Keep in mind that insulation and sealing air leaks will help your energy performance in the summertime by keeping the cool air inside and in the wintertime by keeping the cold air out.
10. Plant trees or shrubs to shade air conditioning units but not to block the airflow. A unit operating in the shade uses as much as 10% less electricity than the same one operating in the sun.
11. Don't place lamps or TV sets near your air-conditioning thermostat. The thermostat senses heat from these appliances, which can cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary.
12. Don't set your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling (and unnecessarily high power bill) if you forget to turn it back to normal.
13. Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer. A temperature of 78 degrees is comfortable for most people.
14.  The less difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be.
15. For air conditioners, look for a high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). The current minimum is 13 SEER for central air conditioners, but there are models with a SEER rating of 21 or higher.
16. During the cooling season, keep the window coverings closed during the day to prevent solar gain.
17. During the heating season, keep the draperies and shades on your south facing windows open during the day to allow the sunlight to enter your home and closed at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.
18. Set your thermostat as low as is comfortable during the winter. A temperature of 68 degrees is comfortable for most people.
19. Weatherize your home—caulk and weatherstrip any doors and windows that leak air.
20. Properly maintain and clean heating equipment.
21. Replace furnace filters regularly.
22. Check the insulation in your attic, ceilings, exterior and basement walls, floors, and crawl spaces to see if it meets the levels recommended for your area.
23. If you use radiators to cool your house, place heat-resistant radiator reflectors between exterior walls and the radiators.
24. Bleed trapped air from hot-water radiators once or twice a season; if in doubt about how to perform this task, call a professional.
25. Clean warm-air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators as needed; make sure they're not blocked by furniture, carpeting, or drapes.
26. Remember that new windows must be installed correctly to avoid air leaks around the frame. Look for a reputable, qualified installer.
27. When you're shopping for new windows, look for the National Fenestration Rating Council label; it means the window's performance is certified.
28. Installing new, high-performance windows will improve your home's energy performance. While it may take many years for new windows to pay off in energy savings, the benefits of added comfort and improved aesthetics and functionality may make the investment worth it to you.
29. Apply sun-control or other reflective films on south-facing windows to reduce solar gain.
30. Install awnings on south- and west-facing windows.
31. Install white window shades, drapes, or blinds to reflect heat away from the house.
32. Install exterior or interior storm windows; storm windows can reduce heat loss through the windows by 25% to 50%. Storm windows should have weatherstripping at all moveable joints; be made of strong, durable materials; and have interlocking or overlapping joints. Low-e storm windows save even more energy.
33. Keep windows on the south side of your house clean to let in the winter sun.
34. Install tight-fitting, insulating window shades on windows that feel drafty after weatherizing.
35. To test for air leaks on your own, on a windy day, hold a lit candle next to windows, doors, electrical outlets, or light fixtures to test for leaks.
36. Adequate insulation in your attic, ceilings, exterior and basement walls, floors, and crawlspaces, as recommended for your geographical area, can save you up to 30 percent on home energy bills.
37. Close fireplace dampers when not in use. A chimney is designed for smoke to escape, so until you close it, warm air escapes. 

STEY would like to thank the US Department of Energy for this article.