Are you afraid of what the financial future holds as temperatures drop in your Massachusetts home? There is an obvious need for concern, but there are plenty of ways you can lower heating bills this season. In fact, we've gathered together some of our favorites right here:

Heating season is here! According to the federal Energy Star program, around half of the energy used in a household is for heating and cooling. Considering the winters in eastern Massachusetts, that heating part can get expensive. Learning how to prevent heat loss in your home will help maintain your indoor comfort level and help save on energy costs.

Knowing when it's time to upgrade the heating system requires a review of energy bills, comfort, repair history and a professional assessment of the system. Furnaces have a lifetime between 13 and 20 years, and given the amount of use heating systems see in our climate, it could be shorter.

Homes in most parts of the country require heating during some parts of the year, but the typically harsh winters of New England make a reliable and efficient furnace or boiler a necessity. Record-breaking snowfalls and cold weather that stretches into the middle of spring seem to conspire with the rising cost of home heating fuels to strain the budgets of homeowners. Improving the efficiency of your heating system can result in substantial long-term savings – but it's important to understand what the AFUE rating means so you can make the best decision for your home.