With the days getting progressively colder and the heater working to keep your family warm, it makes sense to ensure your home does not have any drafts that can allow the heat to escape. Air leaks within a home not only make rooms feel uncomfortable, but also allow warm, heated air from inside to escape quickly which can drive heating bills upwards.

In poorly lit or below grade areas such as basements, any cold drafts and dampness can also be a concern.

With the deepfreeze factor at its annual high, the potential benefits of making energy saving improvements really hit home. Yet saving energy and money and adding comfort to your home should always be in season. Industry experts at Icynene (icynene.com) recommend you put these home improvement tips on your 2012 calendar:

Winter

How to protect your family against carbon monoxide

You can't see it smell it or taste it. It may be lurking in your home and, if not guarded against, can kill you and your loved ones while you sleep.

Known as the “silent killer” carbon monoxide takes the life of hundreds of North Americans every year. It is actually the leading cause of fatal poisonings in North America.

When building or renovating a house there are number of factors that need to be addressed to create the best home environment possible.

Heating is one of these factors, yet a recent national survey from Ipsos Reid found a lack of awareness and consideration around this issue. A Beautiful Heat survey looked at Canadians' perceptions and awareness of home heating. The poll found that almost all respondents (96 per cent) said the type of heating in their home would be an important factor. However, when it came time to buy or renovate their home, just over half (51 per cent) said the type of heating system wasn't a consideration and almost two-thirds (65 per cent) said their contractor didn't offer them a choice.