Cold weather is on the way, and heating can account for about half of your home's energy use. A few small changes this winter can make a big difference on your bill.

Start with the thermostat. Setting it to 68 degrees in winter is one of the easiest ways to save. If you have a heat pump, raise the temperature a degree or two at a time. Big jumps kick on backup heat, which costs more to run. Now is also a good time to schedule fall maintenance on your heating system so it runs the way it should all season.

A smart or programmable thermostat makes all of this easier. Program it once, and it will regulate your home's temperature throughout the year. Blue Ridge members who install one can get a $100 credit on their next power bill.

Your windows can do some of the work, too. Open shades and drapes on sunny windows during the day to let the sun warm your home, then close them at night to hold the heat in.

Water heating is another big expense. Turn your water heater down to the warm setting of 120 degrees to help save during the winter months.

Keep the cold out. Caulking, adding insulation and weather-stripping around doors and windows will keep warm air inside where it belongs. While you're at it, wrap exposed pipes, cover outdoor spigots and close crawl space vents to keep pipes from freezing.

Don't overlook your ceiling fans. They cost pennies to run. Set them to spin clockwise on low to push warm air off the ceiling and back down to you, so your heating system doesn't have to work as hard.

If you use a space heater, use it to warm one room, not the whole house. Space heaters cost a lot to run, and they need to be used safely. Keep them 3 feet from anything that can burn, and plug them straight into the wall, never into an extension cord.

You can find these tips in the latest issue of South Carolina Living, hitting mailboxes this week.

Blue Ridge also offers free home energy audits, water heater rebates, heat pump loans and budget billing to help members save. Learn more at blueridge.coop/energy-efficiency.