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Jack Frost has a wicked way of intruding into people's houses to make them feel cold and to drive up their heating costs. The average cost to heat a U.S. last winter was $986, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The bad news: the price is expected to rise moderately this winter. The good news: you can reduce the "brr" factor and save up to 50% of your total heating costs if you properly winterize your home, according to home repair experts. Here are six tips to do so.

Block those leaks. The average American home has leaks equal to nine-square-foot hole in the wall, according to the Earthworks Group of Murrells Inlet, SC. To pinpoint leaks, which aren't obvious to you, consider walking around your home on a breezy date with a lit incense stick. If the smoke goes anywhere but up, you probably have a leak that lets the wind through. Then, address those areas. Get out your caulk gun. Put up storm windows or affix plastic sheeting over your windows. Install sweeps to close spaces under the doors. And, in needed, cover electrical outlets with gaskets. Also, go outside and seal leaks with weather-resistant caulk.

Make sure the top of your house is in tip-top shape. "The single most effective way to save on heating is to have adequate attic insulation," says Danny Lipford, host of the TV show "Today's Homeowner." "Looking for ceiling joists," he says. If you see them, you need more insulation, at least 12 inches." Also, replace worn roof shingles and tiles.

Gut out the gutters. Remove leafs and other muck from your gutters. Then, spray water through the downspouts to clear away leftover debris. Make sure the downspouts carry water away from your home's foundation so it won't cause damage - at least 10 feet away, according to the Well Home Program of Seattle, WA.

Check the furnace. When you fire up your furnace for the first time of the season, it's common for it to emit a strong, odd smell. If that smell persists for a long time, shut off the furnace and call a professional. Some experts suggest that having your furnace cleaned annually (often a $100 job). Check your furnace filters every month and change them when needed.

Get your equipment ready. Drain gas from lawnmowers. Fire up your snow blower before you need it. Not working well? Then, give it a tune-up or have it serviced. Drain your garden hose and detach it from the outside faucet. Make sure the in-house water valve to the outside faucet is turned off. If you live where it snows, make sure to have snow shovels and environmentally friendly ice melt on hand.

Protect the pipes. Insulate any pipes that aren't insulated, especially those that flow through unheated spaces, such as crawlspaces or garages. Use pre-molded foam rubber sleeves or fiberglass insulation.

Download the winter issue of The Alliant Advisor.

Sources: MSN.com, CBSNews.com and About.com