Freezing cold days and nights have hit us with an icy blast.

Are you shivering in your home? It may be your house that needs an extra sweater, not you.

If your house is under insulated to withstand the effects of old man winter, you may get the shivers when you open your next monthly heating and bills.

The beginning of winter typically means we consume more energy in our homes, from heating to lights to appliances and electronics.

The stress on our electrical generating capacity often creates annoying power outages. The most important thing to remember is to keep your electricity use to a minimum between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. every day when demand is at its peak.

Here are some additional tips to help make your home more energy efficient and reduce the chance of brownouts.

1. Maintain your heating system to keep it safe and operating at maximum efficiency. Clean or change the filters regularly.

2. Better yet, replace your furnace and hot water heater. Be on the lookout for units that carry the EnergyStar label or that have a high EnerGuide rating (the higher the number, the better). You might even be able to save on your home insurance, or receive manufacturers‚ or service provider rebates, by installing these products in your home. (Check out the websites www.LiveSmartBC.ca, www.fortisbc.com, and www.ecoAction.gc.ca for financial incentives available for most of these 10 suggestions.)

3. Check the foundation walls for cracks and leaks that may be letting cold air in and seal all that you find.

4. Weatherstrip/caulk the gaps, cracks, and holes around your home. Key places to check are doors, windows and vents. This will help keep the heat in and your energy costs down.

5. Remember to turn down the thermostat when you‚re not at home and while you‚re sleeping. Consider installing a programmable thermostat.

6. Check to make sure that heat registers are open and not blocked by furniture or drapes. This will help distribute heat more evenly and eliminate fire hazards.

7. Upgrade the insulation in your home. Choose insulation with a high R-value, and start with the attic. Heat rises, and a well-insulated attic will help keep heat from escaping through the highest part of your home. Attic insulation should be at least 12 inches thick.

8. Replace old windows with energy-efficient ones. Choose options such as low-emissivity (low-E) glass, gas-filled glazing or windows that have insulated spacers. Keep in mind that the metal in metal-framed windows acts as a heat conductor, both into the home in the summer and out of the home in the winter.

9. Unplug electronics and appliances when not in use. Electronics and appliances like microwave ovens use energy even when they‚re not in use. Plugging them into a power bar when you‚re not home or asleep will reduce power usage.

10. Brighten shorter days with energy-efficient lighting. Be sure to buy compact fluorescent (CFL) or light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs.

Remember that the materials designed to prevent heat loss from a building, for draft proofing, and for energy conservation are exempt from provincial sales tax. That‚s an instant seven percent saving.

Some of these recommendations are easier and cheaper to implement than others, but all of them should be on your to-do list. The environment and your electricity supplier will thank you.

And when the coolest night of the year next arrives, you won‚t get the shakes.