Warm yourself more

Wearing fleece, and sometimes long thermal underwear, Dr. Christine Cunha stays comfortable with a home temperature of 61 degrees. She has a cozy fleece coat if she starts to feel cool, and there are plenty of throw blankets in the living room to use while reading or watching movies.

Long underwear has come a long ways since the days of bulky “long johns.”

It is easy to find sleek under shirts and pants that fit comfortably under your clothes. They don’t add bulk or interfere with your movement. Add a warm vest, or even a fleece coat or jacket. Put a few throw blankets on the sofa. You’ll still be comfortable all winter long with your thermostat reduced, and your heating costs slashed.

Dr. Christine Cunha has proven to herself that a few extra layers make a dramatic difference.

"I get chilly easily and really hate the cold. But surprisingly I've had no problem getting used to a cool house, just by dressing in warm layers," says Dr. Cunha. "Our electric bill is so much lower than other people's."

In winter, for every 2 degrees you lower your thermostat you reduce your home electricity use by about 4%. That can really add up in reducing greenhouse gas emissions! Also, to cut your electric bills and greenhouse gas emissions, try lowering your thermostat by 10 degrees overnight or while you are at work. In most homes, heating and cooling use the most electricity.