While most potential home buyers, consider their monthly mortgage payment (including principal, interest, and escrow/ taxes), many, fail to adequately consider other monthly expenses, associated with home ownership. Perhaps the most significant one, is the cost of energy - related activities, including electric, and heart. The purpose of this article is not to examine the many alternative heating alternatives, including solar, geo - thermal, etc, but rather, to review some simple steps, one can somewhat easily take, to make their home more energy - efficient, and friendly.