While it may be the most energy-efficient improvement you can make to your home, replacing old windows with triple-pane ones can be very expensive. If you’re not ready to make that investment, visit your local home improvement store, where you can buy window insulation film to cover drafty windows. The film blocks out cold air, and it’s transparent, too. Since the film can be a little unsightly, opt for windows in less-frequented areas. Just adding this film can improve a window’s efficiency by as much as 70%, which makes it totally worth the investment.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Who knew that one of the best ways to refresh the air isn't with chemical-laden spray air fresheners, but rather with a plant? The sansevieria plant is a succulent that NASA discovered could absorb more than 107 air pollutants, including carbon monoxide and nitrogen monoxide. This easy-to-grow plant can absorb up to 80% of air pollutants inside a home. Simply placing one of these succulent plants in your bathroom, for example, can help refresh the air and keep it clean.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If your home uses a tank water heater, it’s important to flush it out at least once a year. Small particles, dirt and other sediment collects at the bottom of your water heater throughout the year, and these things can have a dramatic effect on your unit’s overall efficiency. And this task is easy enough to perform that you can do it yourself! Check your manual for specific instructions, but the process is as simple as flushing water through the drain valve to clean everything out.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION