While folks in more temperate climates might get a break in their utilities bills this time of year, winter comes at great expense for those who live up north. We have four distinct seasons here at Ranchero Indebto, marked by the movement of the programmable thermostat switch: from cool, to off, to heat.

Spring and fall are gifts when it comes to household energy expenditure. The central heating and cooling system can be switched off for a number of months. At some point (often in late October), the mornings become a bit too chilly to bear, the thermostat gets switched on, and the dollars start floating up the chimney.

Over the course of a winter heating season, we can spend thousands of dollars on fuel oil. Could there be a better metaphor for burning money?

The average house leaks a remarkable amount of heat through air infiltration. Cutting down on drafts by sealing windows and doors is the first step. Once you’ve identified and itemized the leaky culprits, take a trip to the local hardware store for caulk and weatherstripping.

A Saturday spent sealing those drafts will pay benefits all winter long …