Heating and cooling the home can sometimes cost as much as the mortgage payment each month. If you're looking for ways to reduce the cost of heating and cooling your home, the tips below can help.

Tint the Windows

You may have never realized just how much heat the sun brings into your home. That hot sun beating through the windows can cause the temperatures in the space to rise tremendously. Yes, you could hang some heavy insulated drapes and stop the sun from penetrating the space, but that will block off the view entirely and prevent the space from getting any natural light.

Instead of the drapes, consider having the windows in those rooms tinted. Window tinting will stop the suns heat from penetrating through the glass without stopping your ability to see out the window and enjoy some of the natural light throughout the day.

Inspect the Seals

The seals around the windows and doors will break down over the years. As they age, they begin to crack and allow your heat to escape throughout the winter. Go through your house and inspect each and every window and door seal. When you find one that is damaged, replace it. If you are unsure of how to replace it, or if you have a warranty on the windows, contact the manufacturer. Never attempt to replace them yourself if the windows are protected under a warranty, or you will likely void the warranty for good.

If the seals are dirty, give them a good cleaning with some gentle, multipurpose cleaner.

If you notice that there are gaps around the windows or doors, apply a bead of silicone caulk to seal them up tight. This will stop air loss and prevent insects from making their way into your home.

Clear the Vents

It can be easy to cover vents up around the house and not even realize that you've done it. When your home's heating and cooling system was designed, those vents were calculated into the air flow of the home. If those vents are blocked, whether they are heat releasing or cold air return vents, the flow of the air could be interrupted and the efficiency of the system decreased.

You may be surprised at how much of a difference just these three things can make. The tint stops the heat, the seals keep the cold air out, and clearing the vents will improve the efficiency of your HVAC system.