The cost of heating our homes is expected to rise over 17% this season from last year. It's the highest price in more than a decade.

News 12's consumer reporter Janice Lieberman has some tips to help you conserve and save:

Turn down your water heater. Take a warm shower, not a scalding one, by lowering the temperature to 120 degrees.

Cut down shower times.

Replace furnace filters - junk in your filter makes your unit work harder.

Maintain your doors and windows. Inspect and replace weather stripping when needed to keep hot air inside and cold air from seeping in.

Turn down your thermostat. Don sweatpants and sweatshirts and turn down your thermostat to 68 degrees.

Turn on ceiling fans in the winter to circulate the warm air.

Open the drapes when the sun is strong to grab the heat, and shut the drapes at night to keep the heat in.

If you're having trouble paying your bills, and need assistance. CLICK HERE for some tri-state resources.

  If you have a story idea, question or tip, click here to reach out to Janice.