Home heating oil costs are projected to hit record highs this year. To help save money on your heating bills this winter try the following. First, know how much energy your home currently uses. Hire a professional home energy auditor or do it yourself by comparing your utility bills with other homes in your area then start making energy saving improvements. These improvements can range from cleaning your air filters to sealing heating and cooling ducts around your home. Cleaning the air filters roughly every three months is a good idea because a dirty air filter slows the flow of air and can actually cause your system to work harder and waste energy. Having a programmable thermostat installed in your home can save money as well, set the thermostat to be a warmer during the day and to drop a couple of degrees at night. Adding insulation to the floor or attic is also a simple way of making your home more energy efficient. Lastly maintaining your heating system on a regular basis will help it run more efficiently and waste less energy.