With the return of colder weather, you may be hesitant to turn on the furnace again - especially if you want to put off winter's high energy bills. And, as you start shutting the windows to keep out the cold, the quality of your home's indoor air can make it hard to keep the family healthy, especially when flu season kicks in and allergies act up. But whatever the weather, you have the power to control the world inside your home. Here are some steps you can take to ensure total home comfort and energy efficiency this season.

Getting ready for winter often means changing to warmer clothes and taking stock of mittens and hats. But it's also a good idea to prepare your home's heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system for winter, too - especially if you want to keep energy bills down.

As soon as the temperatures warm up, you open up the doors and windows and let the "fresh" air in. You want to get rid of winter's stale, indoor air and replace it with the clean, outdoor air. You also go on a cleaning spree, vacuuming, dusting and getting rid of all the dust bunnies hiding under furniture. With a fresh, clean house, you assume you'll be breathing much easier.

Winter weather can cause many private homeowners to wonder how they can pay their utility bill with tighter budgets. What many people do not realize is there are cost-effective ways of upgrading a home for the winter, which can save money in the long run.