Winter is not over yet! Here are five tips to help you make your home more energy-efficient and how you can save a few bucks:

1. The basics: Routine home maintenance saves you money every day. Fixing small problems prevents big emergency repair bills and extends the life of your appliances.
2. Best bets: Hire an energy auditor to determine where you are wasting energy. Some utility companies offer rebates or discounts for audits, too. Call yours to find out.
3. Repair/replace energy hogs: Do a quick cost-benefit analysis before you replace an older appliance. If it hasn't reached the halfway point of its useful life, a repair may be the most cost-effective move. For example: Refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, clothes washers/dryers and water heaters should last 10 to 15 years. Ovens and stoves should last 10 to 20 years. Central air units should last 15 to 20 years
4. Add insulation: More than half the homes in the U.S. aren't properly insulated even though it's one of the least expensive – and most effective – energy-saving projects. Climate determines what materials you'll need and how much
5. Easy stuff: Lights are your home's fourth largest electricity user. High-efficiency bulbs won't earn you tax breaks but you'll see a drop in your electric bill.