Ahhh, That refreshing Green air

Roughly two-thirds of a home's annual energy use goes toward space heating and cooling and water heating, and as much as half of all the energy used in the home is wasted.

Top tips to help you get the most out of heating and cooling your home:

1. Seal the leaks!

Sounds dull we know, but heat loss is one of the biggest obstacles on the road to a comfortable home in the winter. Good thing that sealing those darn leaks -- or draft-proofing, to get technical -- is a breeze. Plus, come summer time, good insulation will make it harder for heat to beat a path way into your home. All you need is a tube of exterior silicone caulk or insulation strips, which you can take to your windows, plumbing and wiring holes, doors and fireplace dampers.

To find the leaks, light a stick of incense or a candle on a breezy day, close all the windows and doors, and wander around your rooms searching for places toward which the incense smoke drifts. Those are your target zones. For the space between your doors and the floor, consider installing a nifty, cheap door sweep on the bottom of the door.

2. Cover your glass

Installing clear plastic barriers or storm windows on your existing windows can cut loss by 25% to 50% by creating an insulating dead-air space inside the window. Storm windows cost about $7.50 to $12.50 per square foot. Exterior storm windows will increase the temperature of the inside window by as much as 30°F on a cold day and hold in cold air during the summer months, keeping you more comfortable

3. Stay ventilated

The better you draft-proof and insulate your home, the more you'll need good ventilation. Pollutants (especially from non flue heaters) can accumulate and excess condensation can cause mould and mildew to grow. Open some windows for a few minutes several times a day (cross-ventilate, if possible), rather than leaving a window partly open all the time.

4. Spread the air

Well positioned and slow turning ceiling fans do a great job of spreading both cool and warm air throughout the house efficiently.

5. Harvest your rainwater

Put a rain barrel on your downspouts and use this water for irrigation. Rain cisterns come in all shapes and sizes ranging from larger underground systems to smaller, freestanding ones.

5. Take Control

During the summer, set thermostats to 78 degrees or more. Use sunlight wisely. During the heating season, leave shades and blinds open on sunny days, but close them at night to reduce the amount of heat lost through windows. Close shades and blinds during the summer or when the air conditioner is in use or will be in use later in the day.

6. Get into (cheaper) hot water

Water heating is the third largest energy expense in an American home, typically accounting for about 13% of your utility bill. There are four ways to cut your water heating bills: use less hot water, turn down the thermostat on your water heater, insulate your water heater, or buy a new, more efficient water heater.

To use less, consider aerating faucets, which enhance spray while minimizing water usage, repair leaky faucets, and opt for showers over baths. To insulate your heater, you'll need blankets that shouldn't cost more than $20 and will save you around 4-9% in heating costs. Remember not to cover the thermostat; if insulating your hot-water storage tank, don't cover the thermostat, top, bottom, or burner compartment.