Fall is now in full swing, which means that pretty soon Americans across the country are going to be turning up the heat — and opening their wallets. In just a five year period, Americans spent an average of over $700 a year on heating with natural gas. Rather than accepting that and paying through the nose for your heating bill each month, here are a few measures to take now, before the snow flies. 1. Install a Programmable Thermostat. If your home doesn’t already have one, you should consider getting a programmable thermostat. Thermostats that are programmable reduce energy…