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Winter is here and the temperatures are dropping. You should consider upgrading your home's overall efficiency to save energy and money.

If you are considering some renovations, consider ways you can increased energy efficiency as part of your renovation goals. Whether you have projects in mind or haven't considered renovations yet, take the time to assess your home's current state.

Take a quick look through your house and check the following:

• Is your house drafty? Check especially near exterior doors and windows.
• Are your walls cold to the touch?
• Is there condensation on your windows?
• Was your home built before 1985?

If you answered yes to any of the questions, then your home could use an energy efficiency upgrade, which will help cut your overall energy costs.

If the main concern is stopping drafts and lowering heating costs, insulation upgrades and/or draft proofing might be a good place to start.

If you are on a budget, small upgrades can still make a difference. To see how much heat is lost throughout your home, walk around with a candle that you've just blown out (or smoking incense stick) and see where the smoke naturally flows. This will help identify air leaks where heat is being lost.

Once you have identified any air leaks, you can use products readily available at local hardware stores to help block drafts and improve your home's efficiency, such as:

• Draftproofing gaskets for outlets
• Caulking that's easy to apply yourself
• Weatherstripping for doors and windows