We've all heard that turning down your thermostat just 2 degrees can make a difference in your heating bill. But there are some energy consultants who say there are bigger and more drastic things you can do in your home to help save energy during the winter. We found out that you may have to spend a little more now on these improvements, to save more money in the long run.

When it comes to making your home more energy efficient, you usually don't think of using an infra red camera. But that's just one of the tools energy consultant Dave Hepfler uses during his house inspections.

He works with the Focus On Energy program that started in 2001. It encourages people to reduce their energy use, and gives people credits when they make changes.

Hepfler says, “The things were talking about are designed to basically tackle bigger issues by identifying what are they with this testing procedure.”

Hepfler’s three main priorities when he's working on a house are safety, comfort and durability. He says, “We want to have safe homes first of all, and if we can have comfortable homes, durable homes, that means were gonna have a house that performs really well for us.”

Hepfler says he's been testing homes for their energy efficiency for the last 9 years, but its popularity has grown in the last few. He says while caulking windows and weather stripping your doors may make you feel better, “generally they may not make a major difference in your energy bill.”

Hepfler says hiring an energy consultant to come test your home is often between $200 and $300, but he says the rewards far outweigh the fee. He says, “Now you're talking significant changes.” Changes like replacing windows, getting a new roof and adding insulation.

But if those projects seem too pricey for you, there are more inexpensive ways to try and keep your heating bill down. Liz Wolf Green, the Xcel Energy spokesperson says simple actions like opening drapes to let the sun heat your home are easy and free things to do. You can also clean or replace furnace filters and wash your clothes in cold water to save money on your energy bill.

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