Your first winter in your new home may bring some surprises if you neglected to inquire about utility costs when you purchased the home. That beautiful, light, and airy home you viewed and bought in balmy summer weather may be a serious drain on your finances in the winter. That nice breeze may now be a nasty draft! Find out what the owners of a house are paying for utilities before you make an offer. Even if the owners have been meticulous about telling you what they pay, your cost may differ greatly because of lifestyle differences. The present owners may like a very cool house - you may require the house to be much warmer. The present owner may be elderly and just using and heating a couple of rooms while you and your family will need to heat the whole house. Check and see if windows are double-glazed, if the ceiling is well insulated, what insulation is in the walls and how well the doors and windows seal. There are many ways in which to improve energy efficiency. Modern high efficiency appliances, light bulbs, and heating sources can cut energy use. Both your local library and electric company are good sources of information on improving the energy efficiency of a home.