The weather outside is getting colder and the sun now goes down around 5 o’ clock.

This is the time of year that only polar bears and snowmen enjoy, but it’s also just the beginning.

We probably won’t be getting many sunny, short and t-shirt days during the  upcoming months. It’s time to break out heavy blankets and figure out smart ways to stay warm.

Alabama Power lists several energy-saving tips on its website for the fall and winter:

Replace your dirty air filter to improve your heating and cooling system’s performance. The website says replacing the air filter is probably the cheapest and simplest way to save a few bucks on your power bill.

In the winter, try to set the thermostat at 68 degrees or below and then forget about it. If you change the temperature a lot during the day, you are probably wasting energy.

Get your heating equipment checked out before we get too deep into winter.  If your equipment does need repair or replacement, think replacement if possible. Today’s energy-efficient equipment is likely to pay for itself by saving enough in operating costs compared to older technologies.

Most ceiling fans have a reversible mode for winter operation that pulls the warmer ceiling air down towards the floor level.

The United States Department of Energy website, energy.gov, also recommends a few tips that can help you stay warm without breaking your budget this winter:

Take advantage of heat from the sun by opening curtains on south facing windows, allowing the sun to naturally heat your home. At night, close them to reduce the cold weather that seeps in through windows.

When you are out of the house or even asleep, turn your thermostat back 10 to 15 degrees. This can save around 10 percent each year on heating and cooling bills, which helps explain why it’s so important to have a programmable thermostat.

Add caulk or weather stripping to seal air leaks around leaky doors and windows.

Also remember that when the temperature gets around freezing, it’s important to let a faucet drip to stop pipes from bursting.

Opening a faucet provides relief from the pressure that builds between the faucet and blockage when freezing occurs, according to Weather.com’s information on preventing frozen pipes.

All of us are hoping this year’s winter is nowhere near as cold as last year, where Selma even had a dusting of snow. But at the same time, it’s important to be prepared in case we do have a week or two of freezing weather.