Action Line: Time is now to winterize your home

"Weather-stripping will get the biggest bang for the buck as it can net up to 25 percent in savings on heating and cooling bills," said Eric Raines, PSO manager of energy efficiency and consumer programs.

The American Electric Power-Public Service Company of Oklahoma website says, "Caulk, seal and weather-strip openings from your home to the outside."

Weather-stripping can be done by a painting contractor, a window installation contractor or any handyman firm and is usually bid by the job or by the window.

Scott Graybill, owner of Sooner Weatherstrip in Tulsa, said the typical residential exit door can be outfitted with new weather seal all around and a threshold sweep for $120.

Raines recommended increasing attic insulation if the joists are showing through the old insulation. Ceiling joists are usually 3 1/2-inch-wide "2-by-4s" and insulation less than 3 1/2 inches is good for only about R-9 (4 times too little). The recommended R-value for attic insulation in northeastern Oklahoma is "R-38 - 15 to 16 inches of blown-in insulation." This can save you 10 percent on your cooling and heating bills, Raines said.

Steve Blackburn, owner of Burnett Insulation of Tulsa, said $1,000 would get a 15-inch-deep layer of "Certainteed InsulSafe SP" fiberglass insulation blown in to a 1,800-square-foot attic. That depth provides an insulation value of R-38.

Next in the $1,000 winterize roundup is the "programmable thermostat," said Raines. These can deliver a year-round energy savings of $150, conservatively, or as much as $185. They can be used to raise or lower indoor temperatures while no one is home and set for more comfortable temperatures 15 minutes before residents return. The U.S. Department of Energy website says, "By turning your thermostat back 10 degrees to 15 degrees for 8 hours, you can save 5 percent to 15 percent a year on your heating bill. Savings are figured at 1 percent per degree when the setback period is 8 hours long."

Install storm doors, at least on the worst-performing exits, for up to an 8 percent savings. Home Depot has Andersen storm doors for $194 to $220.

Install storm windows all around your home for a 25 percent savings on heating and cooling bills. Lowe's has Comfort-Bilt storm windows in several sizes: 36-by-55 for $60, 28-by-47 for $74, 32-by-47 for $71.

Often, a change in heating and cooling philosophy leads to savings. In winter, set the thermostat on 68 degrees during the day and 58 at night for a 15 percent savings.

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Action Line: Time is now to winterize your home