Give your furnace a break this winter by trying some of these energy-saving tricks — all will help keep the house warmer without relying solely on energy-hungry heating systems. You could save some money on your utility bill, and you'll definitely help lower your carbon footprint.

— If you have a ceiling fan, turn it to low and reverse the rotation to clockwise. Doing so creates an updraft. Since heat rises, the updraft will help circulate the heat back down to your level.

— Open drapes on south- or southwest-facing windows during the day. The sun heats up the walls and floors (wood soaks up more than carpeting). The warmth will continue to radiate into the evening, when curtains are closed.

— If you don't use your fireplace, close the damper. Even better, get a plug, also called a "pillow," that safely fits into the chimney to stop air from escaping.

— Turn your water heater down to 120 degrees, which is hot enough for most residential needs. (You can check your water temperature by running hot water over a thermometer.) Note: 120 degrees is just above "medium" on the water heater dial.

— The leading cause of heating and cooling equipment failure: dirt and neglect. Change furnace pads every three months; get the system checked once a year.

— Invest in a programmable thermostat.

— Duct check: Typical duct leakage in California is gauged at 30 percent, which means for every dollar spent heating your home, 30 cents is lost to the outdoors. Also make note: Your attic may be insulated, but is the hatch? Should be.

— Keep floor heat registers open and accessible. Placing furniture or rugs over the registers strains the system and wastes energy.

— Mold loves winter, because that's when bathrooms and kitchens tend to get steamy, since windows are generally closed tight. If you have a bath fan, keep it running for 15 minutes after people take showers.

— Cooking smarts: Using a 6-inch pot on an 8-inch burner wastes 40 percent of the heat.