As we close out the year and count our blessings, many families are already budgeting for the year ahead. If you have your eye on the dollar as well as keeping your home cozy and green, take a look at these top five tips for doing both.

WARMER WATER
Wrap your water heater with an insulation jacket or blanket. This will reduce heat loss by 25-45%, saving on your monthly bills.

DUCT DRAFTS
Most homes lose 20% of their heat through leaks and poorly sealed ductwork connections. Seal exposed ductwork in your attic, basement, crawlspace and garage with duct sealant. You'll notice the difference both in temperature and saved costs.

SERVICE THE FURNACE
Have your furnace serviced every two years and you'll save about 1,250 pounds of CO2 and 10% off your heating bills. Consider changing your furnace's air filter monthly in the winter. A clogged filter has to work harder which means burning more energy.

PIPE INSULATION
Wrap pre-cut pipe insulation around exposed hot water pipes, including those in any crawl spaces to save energy.

TURN DOWN THE HEAT
For every degree you lower your home's temperature during the heating season, subtract 5% from your bill according to the Alliance to Save Energy.