Look In The Attic: Attic insulation is taken for granted many homeowners think they're covered when they're not. A well insulated attic will afford you a substantial savings on your heating costs. Make a trip to your attic with a ruler/yard stick in hand, check the thickness of your insulation if the insulation under the rafters is six inches thick or less, you need to adjust your R-value. R-value is a rating of resistance to heat flow; higher numbers signal a better ability to protect against heat transfer. Most attics need an R-value of 38 or more, which typically translates into at least a foot of insulation, (check with a local insulation retailer for the proper coverage in your area). Because colder climes need more protection, recommended R-values vary across the country, so find out how much insulation you need (or log onto www.simplyinsulate.com ). New insulation isn't cheap, but compare to what you loose in heating cost each year, it will pay for itself in no time, and it can lower heating and cooling costs by 25 percent in a single year. And don