CAPITAL REGION — Douglas Mills is concerned about the cost of heating his home this year.

During the winter months he spends about $600 on energy bills for his Saratoga Springs home, which he said is actually two homes because his father-in-law lives in an attached building.

Most northerners begin to think about heating costs when the leaves begin to change and take certain precautions to protect their home from the frigid air. Now that temperatures are consistently near freezing, residents are beginning to change their habits to save money on energy. Some residents of the Capital Region, like Mills, interviewed randomly at Crossgates Mall provided some of their tips for keeping warm yet saving money.

Mills said Sunday he has winterized his home to prevent drafts, including sealing storm windows. During the winter, Mills and his family take various measures to save energy, such as turning the thermostat down to 66 degrees when no one is at home and at night, and closing blinds and drapes after the sun goes down.

Mill’s home is heated with gas, which he said is a “blessing.” Last year he bought an energy efficient water heater and furnace and Energy Star rated appliances to save energy. He also has a gas fireplace at one end of the house that is on while people are home to save energy costs.

“It heats one end of the house at least,” Mills said.

Mills is doing all the right things, according to tips posted on National Grid’s Web site. Installing a programmable thermostat and lowering the temperature 6 to 8 degrees at night can save $16, caulking and weatherstripping can save $13, and using Energy Star rated appliances can save $24 per month. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority also recommends as energy saving techniques using rugs, cleaning heating ducts and running ceiling fans in the opposite direction to push the heat down into the room .

Ted Cabrera, of Hudson, also spent the fall winterizing his house, which he said includes a lot of tasks such as sealing windows against drafts. He said it’s something he does every year, although he is expecting energy bills to be higher than normal this winter.

Sonia Joseph, of Albany, said she saves money on energy by turning her thermostat off when she isn’t at home and keeping it low when she is. Joseph said she’s comfortable at night under her blankets and quilt.

“No one saves energy better than I do,” she said.

Joseph said she’s been living in her house for four years and her National Grid bill has never been more than $130 per month.

Kim Paul, of Albany, is saving money on energy by keeping it simple.

“We have a really small house, so there isn’t much to heat,” she said.