Energy prices are increasing, making it more important than ever to make sure your home is well insulated. Winterizing your home will reduce your utility bills and reduce the amount of energy wasted in your home.

Start at the top of your house in the attic. Air leakage and improperly installation can waste 20 percent or more of energy you pay to heat your home. Some attics are so leaky, it is as if you are leaving a window open and making your home heating system work overtime. Pay special attention to the attic; since heat rises, it can rise to your attic and right out of your home.

On a particularly cold day, take a thermometer to your attic and leave it there for about an hour or more. Compare the temperature on the thermostat to the temperature outside and inside other rooms. If the attic thermometer reading is more than 10 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the outdoor air or closer to the inside temperature than the outside temperature, you have a problem.

Begin by replacing recessed lighting on your second floor. In many cases, recessed lighting allows heat to escape into the attic. Consider replacing the shades with tight can-like ones, as they are the only ones which can be insulated.

Seal holes where wires come out of the attic. Holes that bring cable, internet or telephone wires into a room are the primary place where cold air will enter a room. Insulate around these wires as best as you can.

Check air conditioning and heat ducts. Your home heating system can lose up to 20 percent of the air that moves through a duct system simply due to leaky or poorly sealed connections. If you feel nervous about sealing these areas yourself, consider hiring a professional to help you.

Put extra insulation in your attic, but do not go overboard. It has been shown that the first four to six inches of attic insulation are more cost-effective than the second four to six inches. That means you do not need to go crazy insulating every space in your attic believing it will save you a lot of money. Instead, insulate four to six inches from the floor and invest the rest of your insulation money in weather stripping or caulk for holes in walls and windows.

Make sure all exhaust ducts vent to the outside. Occasionally, contractors can forget to hook exhaust ducts up to the roof of the side walls in an attic. While you are checking where the ducts are venting, make sure they are well insulated.

Do not forget to insulate around your chimney. This is a delicate process, because you do not want to choose an insulation material that will catch fire. Use rock wool or fiberglass insulation to close gaps around the chimney. Never insulate around a hot, bare flue pipe. Do not use any form of combustible insulation near your chimney. If you choose to use caulk, make sure it is fireproof. Always ask someone for help at your heating supply store before purchasing insulation for your chimney.