Many people want to save money and energy when it comes to their home, but you won't need to break the bank in order to do it. There are many DIY projects that can be done around the home that can be quite helpful in accomplishing these tasks, in order to save your wallet from getting emptied by heating oil costs.

One of the best ways to save on oil is to exchange the old thermostat with an option that is programmable. These tools can keep your heat at a low temperature when you are not home, and can conserve a significant amount of energy, just by keeping heat low when you don't really need it.

Ice dams may not be the first thing you think of when your home is hit with a winter storm, but preventing them from forming may be one of the most important jobs you have in order to ensure your home isn't damaged, according to DIY Life.

You may ask, what is an ice dam? Well, according to DIY Life, an ice dam forms when water drips to the edge of a roof and freezes. The dam can severely damage the home, as it has the ability to rot the roof, allow water to drip into the attic, break gutters and destroy insulation in the home. It is important to stop these before they cause an indoor flood.

It is not always difficult to do projects at home - this includes when you are trying to save money, as well. One DIY home project you can do to save some cash is to insulate pipes, which can improve water temperatures, and it isn't even difficult, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Insulating pipes that send hot water through the home actually does more than you would think. It can increase the temperature anywhere in your house between 2 and 4 degrees, the Department of Energy said. This can allow you to drop the water temperature setting. Also, the time waiting for the water to get hot will drop, as well - essentially, that means no more waiting 5 minutes for the shower to heat up.

One of the main reasons for drafts is a lack of a proper door seal due to faulty weatherstripping, The Family Handyman noted. But before going out and purchasing new pieces of the sealant, make sure the hinges are secure. It may seem small, but a loose hinge can let a significant amount of air in.

But if these hinges are still fastened securely, it is time to add some new weatherstripping, according to The Family Handyman. Grab a weatherstripping kit at the local hardware store. It has three pieces, two for each side and one for the top. This will make the job easy. Take a tape measure and measure the top jamb and side jambs. This will give the length that needs to be cut for the door.