You can increase your comfort indoors without sending your thermostat – and energy bill – through the roof. Here are a few “Wiser Way” tips on cold-weather conservation from Mark Wiser, conservation program manager at Chelan County PUD:

• Close fireplace damper and glass doors when fireplace is not in use. Don’t use your fireplace in the coldest weather.

• Fix broken ducts and replace cracked or peeling tape on ducts. Use heat tape with the UL (Underwriters Laboratories) logo and labeled for heating ducts.

• Check weather stripping on exterior doors and windows. Adjust or replace it if you can see light around the door.

• Check to make sure foundation vents are closed for the winter. If your vents do not close, taping a piece of plastic on the outside will help considerably.

• In the evening, close your drapes to retain heat. Make sure heating registers are not covered by the drapes or furniture.

• Check your furnace and heat pump filters once a month. Replace if dirty.

• Check ceiling and crawl spaces to ensure there is adequate insulation.

• Lower your thermostat at night and when not at home. Use a programmable thermostat. (If you have a heat pump, don’t set your thermostat back more than a couple degrees at night.)

• Seal or fix broken basement windows.

Remember that tax credits are available to homeowners who install energy-efficiency products in their homes. Check out the possibilities here.