But in case you’re one of those types who easily forgets, here’s a reminder — it’s going to get mighty cold this winter, and you’re going to have to pay for it.

Shaking your fist and chattering your teeth aren’t the only recourse against winter’s cruel climate, however. Before winter really, truly sets in, there are a number of things you can still do to make your home, your garden and your life that much easier until flowers make their return appearance.

We’ve put together a few tips from some people who specialize in surviving the winter in an efficient, manageable fashion, saving money, time and grief. You may think you’ve covered all the bases, but more often than not, there’s always a little something you can do to winterize that much more efficiently this year.

Heating and furnace care

Jim Perusich, owner of J.P. Heating & Cooling in the Town of Tonawanda, N.Y., runs through a few standard items with any new customer whose house he’s called to.

The most important one, he said, is also one of the cheapest and smartest things a customer can do.

“We’re always talking about a combination smoke and carbon monoxide detector, and whether they have one hard-wired in their basement, near the furnace,” Perusich said. “It makes me feel better when I walk away from the house, and it brings the house into line with the current codes.”

After that, it’s all a matter of how diligent a homeowner has been about keeping their furnace clean, burning efficiently and venting safely, Perusich said. Among the items that should be looked at before the white stuff starts falling:

n Consider an investment: Homeowners who buy a high-efficiency furnace starting this year can get up to a $500 state tax credit, and a federal credit maximum of $150 — the numbers go higher as your furnace is rated more and more efficient. “You’re getting a credit on something that will save you money in the long run,” Perusich said. “It’s a real easy sell sometimes.”

• Filters: Buy them in bulk, and start a routine of changing them every month. A clogged filter not only prevents dangerous gasses from venting out, it reduces the furnace’s efficiency.

Be careful if you spring for the more expensive filters — some can be overly thick and layered, causing a backup problem earlier than their cheap counterparts.

• Get into a heating habit: The biggest savings a household will ever see in one year is if the occupants agree that the temperature can be lower when they’re not there, or not conscious.
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