Lower Bills With Low-Cost Winter Fixes -- Savings Experiment

Energy bills tend to rise while the outside temperature drops, and no one wants to spend more money than they have to. Before there's snow on the ground, check out a few simple ways to lower your expenses in the fall and winter months.

One easy way to warm up a room is to reverse your ceiling fans. In the summer you want your fan to run counterclockwise so it blows down. However, in the colder months, you should reverse the direction of the fan to pull cool air toward the ceiling. Simply flip the toggle switch underneath the fan and put it on a low setting. You should feel the difference in no time.

Another way to save on energy costs is by flushing out your water heater once a year. As sediment and debris build up, they can cause a drop in efficiency or even leaks over time, which will ultimately cost you.

To flush, turn off the water heater and fasten a hose to the faucet at bottom of the tank. Run the other end of the hose outside or to a laundry tub. Open the valve and let the water and residue drain out. Do this yearly and you'll be good to go.

Lowering your monthly bills doesn't have to take too much time and energy. Using these simple tips, you can beat the cold without beating up your budget.