CLEVELAND -- As the temperature drops, the cold air feels like it's seeping through every nook and cranny.

So NewsChannel5's Joy Benedict talked with a home improvement expert to show homeowners the do's and don'ts of keeping your home warm and your wallet thick.

Dave Lupberger with Servicemagic.com said first and foremost, you want to check your exterior walls for cold air seeping through electrical outlets and switches. He said, "You can actually spray the foam in around the opening." Local hardware stores have foam to keep the air out or you can buy pre-cut outlet covers.

The next place to stop the cold from coming in is your windows and doors. There are many different types of weather-stripping and you can also get a caulk gun to seal up cracked paint around your windows.

Lupberger advises homeowners to caulk inside and out, but don't caulk if the temperature falls below 45 degrees, because it can freeze. Switch out summer screens with storm windows and put plastic over the glass block windows in your basement, as well.

Next stop, your utility room. Buying an insulation wrap for your hot water tank can save you a lot of cash. Lupberger said about 20 percent of your gas bill goes to keeping your hot water hot.

"In a sense you're putting a blanket around your hot water heater so it doesn't have to work as hard," he said.

It may also be time for an HVAC professional to inspect your furnace and clean your air ducts. One of the easiest ways to make sure your furnace is running efficiently is to change your filter regularly.

"If a furnace filter gets clogged the fan has to work harder to move the air through it," said Lupberger.

Change the filters monthly in the wintertime and once every three months when the furnace is not running constantly. This is not the area to save. Make sure you get a filter that is efficient.

When it comes to the outside, make sure there's no standing water near your foundation.

"If people have water in their basement, 90 percent of the time it's because of insufficient drainage," Lupberger said.

Make sure you rake away all debris and edible vegetation near the foundation. This invites rodents. Seal foundation cracks to prevent unwanted animals from coming inside. Mice can fit through cracks as small as a dime.

While you are outside raking, remember to fertilize, as well. It helps your lawn make it through the winter. When you put your lawnmower in storage, service your snow blower so you're not in a bind when you need it most. It's also a good time to replace worn-out shovels because they tend to sell out fast when the snow flies on a regular basis.

Don't forget to drain all your garden hoses and insulate exposed plumbing pipes on the outside of your home.

If you have an air conditioner, drain the pipes and turn off the water shutoff valve. If you plan to go on vacation during the holidays, do not turn your heat off. Set the thermostat between 55 and 60 degrees so your pipes don't freeze.