Winter Bedding to Let You Keep the Thermostat Low

We may still have plenty of chilly weather ahead, but you can turn down the heat and save on that utility bill if you outfit your bed to keep you toasty for the rest of the winter.

Here are the basics on how to turn up the heat on your bed. Our sources are Anita Iodice, president of the Company Store, which has been making down comforters and other home products for 119 years, and Stacie Pacheco, director of marketing for Sunbeam's bedding division.

Comforters

A comforter, whether it's made of down or synthetic fluff, is a great way to add warmth without much weight.

How they work: The down or synthetic fibers in a comforter trap air between the comforter and the bed. The air is warmed by your body heat.

The covers on comforters are graded by thread count. If a comforter has a thread count of 250, that means there are 250 threads per square inch. Higher thread counts usually translate to warmer comforters because the finer cloth allows the down or fill inside to fluff more and thereby trap the air better.

A good, lightweight comforter may have a fill power of 500, while a heavier comforter may have a fill power of 800 to 900. Fill power refers to loft. The number is determined by taking 1 ounce of down, compacting it, and then allowing it to expand -- or loft -- to its fullest. The down is then measured to see how much cubic space it fills. The higher the loft, the greater the fill power, the warmer the comforter.

What you can expect to pay: Prices range from $100 to $1,000, depending on the materials used (synthetic fill vs. duck or goose down), the thread count and the fill power.

Things to watch out for: Although that winter white sale on a down comforter may look appealing, be careful. Cheaper down comforters are often made with shortcuts, usually in how the feathers are processed.

Basic care: Most comforters can be laundered, but you may need to visit a laundry or a dry cleaner if you own a queen, king or California-king size. Washing a comforter in too small a washer may damage the feathers and reduce their lofting abilities. Manufacturers also recommend a cover for the comforter to protect it from spills and day-to-day wear. The cover can then be removed and laundered.

Flannel Blankets

There are two distinct camps when it comes to flannel sheets. About half of the people love them, and half despise them.

How they work: Flannel is made from a woven cotton fabric that has been napped on both sides, making it fluffier and warmer than smooth fabric. In some ways, flannel acts like down, trapping warm air against the body.