All right, class, today's topic is "How to save money on your home heating bill." This may sound familiar, but a reminder never hurts.

Winterize your home. Use weather-stripping, caulking, plastic film or storm windows or doors to seal out drafts. Install a minimum of R-30 insulation in attics and ceilings. Check ducts for cracks or broken seams and keep ducts and grills clean. Insulate hot water pipes and ducts in unheated areas. Use draft-stopping gaskets specially made to fit behind light switch plates and electric sockets.

Have your furnace inspected. Consider annual maintenance check-ups to keep the furnace working at top efficiency. Then, change your furnace filter monthly -- dirty filters make your furnace work harder.

Turn down the thermostat. Set the thermostat no higher than 68 degrees. Keep it lower at night and while you're away -- a programmable thermostat may be a good investment. Every degree you lower the heat can save as much as 3 percent on your heating bills. However, some experts recommend avoiding daily fluctuations of more than 10 degrees. (If you have a heat pump, keep it at an even setting or you'll waste more energy than you save.)

Turn down your water heater. A comfortable temperature is 120 degrees or less. If your water is so hot that you have to mix it with cold water to use it, you are wasting money. Wrap the tank with an insulated water heater blanket. Turn off the heater while away for extended periods.

Check your gas appliances. If they aren't operating properly, they could be wasting energy.

Close the fireplace. Make sure the damper is closed when not in use and install glass doors to prevent heat from being sucked up the chimney.

Close off unused rooms. Shut the door, put a towel across the bottom of the door and block off any cold air returns in the room. In rooms you use, don't block heating vents or return registers with furniture.

Close drapes and blinds at night. During the day open them to let the sun help heat your home.

Enroll in your gas company's budget plan. It doesn't save you money, but paying a similar amount all 12 months of the year eases the sting of winter bills. To sign up, pay the budget amount offered on your bill, or call your provider.

If you use fuel oil or propane, order deliveries in late summer and early fall when prices generally are lower and negotiate fuel delivery contracts for the entire season. Some heating oil companies no longer offer fixed-price deals because crude oil markets are too volatile.

A brochure with other tips for saving energy and dollars is available at the Department of Energy's Web site at www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/, or you can request it from the state's Office of Consumer Advocate by calling toll-free, 1-800-684-6560.

If in spite of all your efforts, you simply cannot pay your heating bill, get help and notify the utility company. Programs are available for low-income and fixed-income households to help pay heating bills and winterize homes. For information, call your gas company or contact the Public Utility Commission at 1-888-782-3228 or the Office of Consumer Advocate at 1-800-684-6560.