There are many misconceptions on how to keep your utility bills down in the winter. Focus on Energy is here to bust those myths-providing you ways to keep your energy costs down without sacrificing comfort.

MYTH: Turning down the thermostat during the day will make my furnace            work harder later. TRUTH: Your furnace will run for a shorter time and use far less energy to              heat up a cool house than it would if you kept the house warm all              day.

MYTH: Turning your thermostat to the highest temperature will warm you            up faster. TRUTH: No-the thermostat isn't like the gas pedal on your car-turning it to              the highest temperature setting doesn't warm you up any faster.

MYTH: You should close the vents in rooms you are not using to save energy. TRUTH: No-closing vents will restrict airflow coming out of the furnace or              air conditioner, which will cause the blower motor to either work              harder to overcome the barrier, or distribute less air which will              affect the comfort level of the rest of the home.

MYTH: Electric room heaters are better than heating the whole house. TRUTH: These are major energy suckers. It is impractical and expensive              to have a space heater running for a long period of time-and can              be dangerous if left unattended or used improperly. If you really              want to cut energy costs for heating, try turning your thermostat              down a degree or two.

MYTH: I should wait until my furnace breaks down before replacing it. TRUTH: Not the case. Even though an average furnace lifetime is about              18-20 years, furnaces that are 10 years old are likely to be 15%              less efficient than models available today. Replacing an older              model with a newer model might cost you more up front but can              save you in the long run. Focus on Energy can help homeowners              make upgrades to furnaces economically with Cash-Back Rewards              for high-efficiency furnaces.

MYTH: Adding insulation won't make that big of a difference with drafts. TRUTH: No-seal cracks, gaps, leaks, and add insulation to save 30 percent              on home heating costs. A Home Performance with ENERGY STAR              evaluation can help you find the best places to air seal.

MYTH: The more insulation, the better. TRUTH: Sometimes less is more. Installing too much insulation in an attic,              wall or floor can be counter-productive. Insulation needs to trap              air to work properly. Forcing material into a wall cavity or over              insulating the attic will compress the material and diminish its              effectiveness.

MYTH: Replacing a furnace with an ENERGY STAR model is enough to save            energy and money. TRUTH:There are other variables to look at along with purchasing an             ENERGY STAR model: Look for a furnace that has an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) of 90% or higher. Get a furnace with a variable speed motor and multi stages of heating to get the most out of your gas and electric usage. Electrical savings alone can be over $100 per year. Ask the contractor to perform a heat loss calculation to make sure the furnace is sized properly for your home. Get several quotes and use a contractor that you feel comfortable with. Ask your friends, relatives and neighbors for references. Remember, a company's size and prices don't always indicate the quality of the workmanship.