Fall is here! The leaves are falling, and temperatures are falling, too. For many homeowners, the chilly outdoor temperatures mean higher heating and energy bills. However, there are a lot of great ways to reduce energy bills this fall. Start with these tips for saving energy:

Close the curtains.

The bright sunshine of summer is gone, so you can close your curtains without feeling guilty for blocking out the sun. The curtains will act as an extra layer of insulation, reducing heat loss through the glass and ultimately lowering your energy bills.

Change your furnace filter.

You really should change your furnace filter once a month, but so many homeowners put this off or forget. A dirty filter will do more than lead to a dirty home; it will make it harder for your furnace to push air through, leading to higher energy bills. Stock up on filters so you remember to change it monthly through the fall and winter.

Check on your fireplace.

A lot of heat can escape through your fireplace if you leave the damper open when you're not burning wood. Put a sticker or sign on the damper to remind yourself to close the damper once you're done using the fireplace. If you never use your fireplace, check to ensure the damper is closed -- and then leave it shut all fall and winter.

Turn down the thermostat.

Resist turning the heat on until your home is consistently dropping below 60 overnight. The longer you put it off, the less you'll pay for energy. When you do turn the heat on, only set your thermostat for 62 or 64 degrees. The first few days might feel a bit chilly, but you'll soon get used to this temperature.

Take your air conditioner out of the window.

If you have a window air conditioner unit, fall is the time to remove it. Cold air will seep in around the air conditioner, forcing your furnace to work harder.

Inspect your insulation.

Venture up into the attic and take a look at your insulation. If it seems compacted, moist or moldy, this means it needs to be replaced. New insulation will do a better job of trapping in the heat, now and through the winter.

To learn more about saving energy throughout the year, check out our post "5 Energy Tips for Summer."