It is the time of year again when the weather is colder, the days are shorter and people are spending more evenings indoors by the fire sipping hot cocoa. And while this all may seem idyllic, if you have not properly winterized your Cleveland home, you could be letting your heat and money escape out of your windows and be unknowingly allowing the drafty winter weather inside.

• Adding insulation- Check the amount of insulation in your home, especially in the attic. There should be at least 12 inches of insulation present. Adding insulation will prevent the heat in your home from escaping out. Also, adding throw rugs to bare floors during the winter will help to insulate and keep your home (and feet) warmer.

• Check for drafts- Gaps around windows or doors should be sealed, and door sweeps should be added to exterior doors try to prevent drafts from entering your home. Unless of course you are tired of drafts and would rather upgrade. See next tip?

• Replacement windows/doors- If it is in the budget, replacing your windows and doors with energy efficient models will save you a lot of money in both heating and cooling cost over time.

• Maintain your current HVAC system- Make sure that your furnace, filters and ducts are routinely cleaned so that the system is working as efficiently as possible.

• Upgrade your heating system- If your current HVAC system is 10 years or older, upgrading to a newer energy efficient HVAC system will use less resources, saving you money while keeping your home warm this winter.

Starting off the new year right is important for many people. Upgrading items around your home can be a great way to start off the new year. Having an older, drafty door in the Delaware Valley can cost you more money on heating costs and suck up your time in repairs. Replacing your door will save you money on heating and cooling costs. It can add style to your home and be as unique as you are. Having a new entry door in your Philadelphia home can make a fresh start for your new year.

Here are a few benefits of replacing your Philadelphia entry door:

• Rot-Resistance: doors are treated to resist mold.

• Eliminate Drafts: doors have bulb and blade sweeps to stop drafts.

• Heat Resistant Window Trim: this will help stop cracking and warping.

• Increased Security: new hardware locking systems for added safety.

• Energy Efficiency: keeps your home's HVAC system working efficiently, saving you money.

• Durability: these doors are weather resistant and durable to last you years.

• Multi-Point Locking: added security for your home.

These benefits can really improve your home for the new year and many years to come.

When you put time and money into your home, you can improve it for resale later on, or just make it more enjoyable for your family to live in now. Here are some great suggestions for improving your home in the New Year:

Consider building a home office inside your home. This can offer a large return on your investment as well as a great place to pay bills, work on projects and talk on the phone without being hounded by the kids.

Do a complete kitchen redesign. If your kitchen is dated, adding new features and appliances and adding more counter space can make your home more desirable to future buyers and more pleasant to live in.

Create an attic bedroom. This offers a significant amount of return on your investment and although it may be one of the more costly projects you can do, this feature is a desirable one among homebuyers. It can also add more usable space to your home and space always makes everyone happy!