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The River Region has been experiencing some cold days and nights lately, which means people are cranking up the heat. But turning up the heat may leave you with a huge energy bill. So how can you keep the warm air in and the winter air out?

CBS 8 went along for a home inspection with Bill Bradley Services in Montgomery to learn about energy saving tips and rule out some of the myths for keeping your home warm. 

It seems like our wallets are at the mercy of the thermostat. So what is the most energy efficient temperature to heat your home?

"Somewhere between 68 and 72," operations manager Damon Jones said. "Pretty much set it, forget it. That way it will save you energy."

By keeping it on at one steady temperature it could save five to 10 percent on your power bill and digital thermostats give truer readings.

But if you want to curl up by the fireplace it may not give as much heat as you think.

"You do get a certain amount of heat from them," Jones said. "You know it's kind of more of an aesthetic value. You see a fire you feel warmer."

Heat is also lost through the chimney. 

But what about a heating myth? Some people turn on their stove to heat their kitchen in the morning. 

"Unfortunately, it is something that people do," he said. "I don't believe it's very safe."

Leaving them on could cause a fire. Keeping the heat in your home shouldn't be a health hazard, so it can be as easy as adding some weather stripping or spray foam to doors and windows. 

"You don't see any light coming around the door frame that would indicate there's an air leakage there."

But to really seal in the heat, it may be time to replace those single paned windows.

"These are double paned with the gas between the windows and that creates a good vapor barrier," Jones said. "Keeps the warm air in and the cold air out."

It's an investment that ranges from a couple hundred dollars a piece. Once your home is sealed, don't forget to keep the air moving. Many people think of fans for the summer time, but they can be used in the winter time as well. 

Jones said you can put your fan in reverse, meaning clockwise, to distribute the heat and help save you money. 

Another winter tip to keep in mind during those nights that fall below freezing is to tend to your pipes. It may not seem like much, but when the temperature falls below 32 degrees, a slow drip from your faucets could prevent hundreds or thousands of dollars in damages if a pipe were to burst. 

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