Home energy prices are down from their record highs, but they're still way up over last year.

People who heat with oil are expected to pay 25 percent more to stay warm this winter - a $738 increase for the average house in the mid-Atlantic.

Philadelphians who heat with natural gas can expect an increase of about $300 over last year's average bill, assuming a normal winter instead of the mild one we had last time.

Starting today, the Daily News is delivering help. Our House Warmers' Workshop, which will run every three weeks now through mid-November, will contain nuts-and-bolts advice for coping with runaway costs.

This installment details some big steps you can take now to conserve energy (and should take now if you're hoping to finish before the weather turns cold).

Weatherizing your house is the big kahuna. It's not sexy: We're talking caulk and spray foam. But do it right and you could cut hundreds off your annual heating bill - maybe $800 if you heat with oil.

Hubba, hubba.

Switching to alternative fuels is so sexy that even billionaire oilman T. Boone Pickens is now on the bandwagon. We look at those today, too.