Save Energy on Heating; Tips From National Grid
The following is taken directly from the National Grid website: 
https://www.nationalgridus.com/non_html/brochure_heatcool.pdf
Ways to manage your heating costs
Tune up for efficiency
- Maintaining an efficient heating system is an important step to conserving energy. Have your heating system serviced annually, and never try to repair it yourself.
- If your heating system has a filter, clean or replace it every monthduring the heating season.
- Your furnace or boiler needs air to work properly (and efficiently). Don’t close it off with walls, debris or other obstructions.
Turn down for savings
- For every 1° F you set your thermostat back, you can save one to three percent on your annual heating costs.
- Turn down the thermostat every time you leave the house for two or more hours, and every night before you go to bed. It takes less energy to warm up a cool house than to maintain a warm temperature all day and night.
- Installing a programmable thermostat is an inexpensive, easy way to maintain comfort and cut heating costs. You can program it to turn the heating system up and down at preset times
Insulate
- Insulate your attic, walls, ceilings and floors to prevent heat escaping to the outdoors. Insulation improves your comfort as well as the efficiency of your home–and that means more savings for you.
- Apply the same principle to your personal comfort. Wear several layers of clothing to keep yourself warmer while keeping the thermostat down.
- Take advantage of the sun: open drapes during the day to capture warmth and close them at night to prevent heat loss through windows.
Seal air leaks
- Cold air let in by air leaks can increase your energy use, so seal all holes and cracks where cold air can get in. It’s especially important to caulk windows and weatherstrip around door frames.
- Other air-sealing tips include shutting off heat to unused rooms and closing the fireplace damper.
- Remove window air conditioning units during the cold months to reduce drafts. If this isn’t possible, cover the inside and outside of the unit with plastic.
- You can also move furniture to warmer spots in the room to avoid cold drafts and stay more comfortable.
Use portable space heaters with caution
- Portable space heaters can actually increase your energy costs and pose a safety hazard as well. To use space heaters safely:
- Keep a three-foot clearance between furniture and heating elements.
- Check electric space heaters for frayed cords.
Additional safety tips
- Use oil, gas, kerosene or woodburning stoves only when they are vented to the outdoors.
- Use gas ovens for cooking only.
- Ovens should never be used for heating because they are not vented.