Everyone can agree that the weather has been bizarre and unpredictable recently in the DC metropolitan area. With the change in temperature varying so frequently, it is hard to decide whether or not to keep your air conditioning on, windows open, or heat blasting. Winter is right around the corner and keeping the heat inside is everyone’s main focus.

Here are five things every homeowner can do now to cut energy bills this winter.

Bust out the caulk gun and fortify the weather-stripping. Probably one of the most boring tasks, but well worth it. Something to bang out in a few hours on the weekend. Air leaks around windows and doors, in particular, can be huge energy wasters. These leaks are easy and inexpensive to fix. Other common trouble spots include outdoor faucets, dryer vents, and vents for bathroom and kitchen fans.

The ole switcheroo. Shorter days mean increased need for lighting. As bulbs go out in your home, replace them with compact fluorescent bulbs, which use 75% less energy than their incandescent counterparts. As a bonus, they also last up to 10 times as long, so you’ll make fewer trips up and down the stepladder to replace them.

Invest in a programmable thermostat. Why heat the house when no one is in it? By allowing you to sync the heating and cooling systems with your daily and weekly habits, an Energy Star programmable thermostat can save you about $150 in the first year of operation. Most models sell for less than $100, so the return on your investment is quick. Pick one that’s easy to use.

It’s time to dump the old washer. Get a new one with the Energy Star rating and save more than $100 a year on utilities, compared with a washer made before 2004. Qualifying washers use 40 percent less energy than standard washers and about half as much water. But you can hang on to the old dryer until it expires — most dryers use similar amounts of energy and none has earned the Energy Star rating.

Make the phone call. A professional inspector can pinpoint the energy wasters in your home and suggest the most cost-effective improvements. That can be especially helpful if you’ve already covered the obvious points of energy waste. In the VA, MD & DC area, expect to pay several hundred dollars for the inspection and report. To find leaks, the inspector will perform what’s called a “blower door test,” in which a big, calibrated fan is sealed into an outside door. When it’s turned on, the effect is like having a 20 mile per hour wind huffing, puffing, trying to blow into the house.

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