By taking care of your home and periodically making home improvements, you can save a lot of money.  Here are some helpful tips:

• When you wash clothes, use the cold cycle.  You could save around $60 a year.
• Weatherproof your home.  Caulk holes and cracks that let warm air escape in the winter and cold air escape in the summer.  This can reduce heating and cooling costs by 15 to 30 percent.
• Keep your refrigerator running efficiently by cleaning the coils with a tapered appliance brush.
• Instead of using your dryer, line dry your clothes when the weather is warm.
• If you’re having guests over, lower the temperature in your home a degree or two.  Having more people in your home will generate body heat.
• Save 4,000 gallons of water a year by upgrading to a low-flow toilet.
• Clogged furnace filters raise your electric bill by making the blower work longer.  Clean or replace your filter each month.
• Save on your energy bills by lowering your water-heater temperature to 120 degrees from 130 degrees.
• Raise the interior temperature of your home via solar heat by opening your blinds and shades on cold days.  Remember to close your blinds at night to reduce heat loss.
• Decrease hot water use up to 50 percent by installing a high-efficiency showerhead.