To me the best of these ideas is buying a programmable thermostat to automatically lower the temperature when you're not at home or asleep and warming the house back up when you need it. This can lower bills by as much as $150 per year, and probably more if you live in Buffalo or Ann Arbor.

Even though natural gas prices are down a bit from last year's record highs, the savings won't be much as gas companies charge consumers based on what they paid for their current stock, according to the Northwest Indiana Times.

Office buildings probably stand to save the most as they are unoccupied for 12 or more hours per day, and often all weekend.

Cleaning your heating equipment, though a pain to schedule, can save you as well.