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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Winterizing your home might seem like a big task, but if you qualify, furnace repairs and attic insulation could all be done for free.

The Energy Resource Center has been around since 1979 and work to keep people warm in the winter.

The ERC helped more than 1,200 people last year and are currently doing four energy audits a day, five days a week.

"When you get your energy bill if you know that one-third is just wasted, think what you can do with that in your pocket," Howard Brooks, Executive Director for Energy Resource Center, said.

When it comes to keeping energy bills low, it's critical you check your home specifically the insulation in the walls, attic, and crawl space, as well as your furnace.

If the furnace is made prior to 1985 it could be severely inefficient. One furnace was leaking one-third of its gas.

In really bad situations old heating equipment could blow carbon monoxide into your home.

"Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and flu like symptoms that they had was really carbon monoxide poisoning," Brooks, said.

For homes in the LEAP program through Colorado Springs Utilities, the repairs and replacements are done at no cost.

But if you don't qualify, here's a tip: change your filter every 30 days to prevent it from getting clogged and slowing the air movement.

It's one simple way to maintain the longevity of the furnace, keep your bills low, and keep you safe.

ERC will soon be offering fee for service energy audits. The funds will go back to assist those who can't afford to pay.