Winter memories of freezing in your house, and receiving terrific heating bills are now in the past.

Simple, inexpensive home checks can save you money, while keeping you warm this winter.

Mark Antonuk with ATCO Energy Sense says people should start getting their homes ready for winter right now.

"There's a lot of simple, very cost effective ways to reduce the amount of energy you use in your home, so one is reducing your infiltration, and eliminating drafts by up grading weather stripping and caulking around windows, doors, electrical out lets, dryer vents, and the attic hatch, "says Antonuk.

You should do regular maintenance on your furnace every month.

Antonuk says, "Keep your furnace filter clean, a dirty filter reduces your air flow, which reduces the overall efficiency of the furnace."

Antonuk says you can also invest in a programmable thermostat that reduces the temperature when your away or sleeping.

You would save about 8% annually on your heating bill.

You should also check that the air vents in your home are not blocked.

For more tips and information go to www.atcoenergysense.com.

The website has an interactive house that you can go clip on different areas and it will give you energy saving tips.