Give your furnace – and your electric bill – a break this winter.  Here area handful of smart, easy ways to keep this winter green and your thermostat at bay. Long lost Uncle Sam can even lend a hand with some cash incentives for you.

• Insulate – Proper insulation alone can save a household up to 20 percent on energy bills, according to the Department of Energy (DOE).  While there are many insulation options, try choosing a recycled material such as cellulose or natural fiber UltraTouch – which is made from post-industrial recycled denim.
• Plant trees – Planting trees on the north side of your home provides natural insulation against winter’s northern winds.  Try to avoid planting trees on the south side, which can block half of the sun’s rays from reaching your home.  If you can’t, be sure to cut back shrubs that may block windows and hinder the sun’s rays from penetrating in on sunny days.

• Seal window cracks – Say goodbye to those icy drafts by sealing those cracks under your doors, windows, and vents.  Weather stripping comes in a number of varieties to accommodate types of friction and temperature, but is generally quite inexpensive.  If you’re stuck with single pane windows, make use of heavy curtains to help trap heat from escaping.
• Reverse the ceiling fan – It may sound strange, but by turning your fan to rotate clockwise, warm air that has risen to the top is pulled down and circulated throughout your home, especially heat from the oven or other areas with difficult circulation.  Note:  unless your home is off-grid or solar powered, flip the switch judiciously so you don’t run up your electric bill.
• Close-off rooms – By closing the doors and vents to rooms your aren’t using, heat is directed into open rooms that are being used, and in turn increases your heat efficiency.

*Keep in mind, tax credits at 30 percent of costs (up to $1500) are still available for insulation and windows and doors (expires December 31, 2010).