If you’ve ever gathered loose change from around the house, you know how those loonies and toonies can quickly add up! Take the same approach when trimming household expenses, and you could find a pocketful of ongoing savings you can use to pay down your mortgage faster.

Consider these ideas — large and small — that can help save money in your home. We've compiled a dozen tips from a variety of sources including Natural Resources Canada and the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

1. Seal drafts to save energy. Air leaks account for 25% to 40% of the heat loss from an older home, potentially costing hundreds of dollars per year in gas or electricity costs. See some easy fixes to control air leakage from Natural Resources Canada.
2. Lower the heat. Turn down the heat a degree or two or install a programmable thermostat. According to Natural Resources Canada, you could save 2% on your heating bill for every 1 degree Celsius in reduced heat.
3. Go fluorescent. As lights burn out, change incandescent bulbs to ENERGY STAR® compact fluorescents, which use at least 67% less energy to operate, according to Natural Resources Canada.
4. Run full loads. Avoid running half loads of laundry and dishes to save energy costs, as recommended by the Ontario Power Authority.
5. A splash of cold. Use cold water, instead of costly hot, to do the wash.
6. Go off-hour. Take advantage of off-peak-hour energy discounts by using appliances at night or early morning when possible.
7. Bundle up. Ask for discounts to bundle services such as cable, Internet and phone; or shop around for better deals.
8. Read the news online. Cancel home delivery of newspapers or magazines that pile up unread. Plus, digital subscriptions often come with significant savings over print, as seen on Magazines Canada's Digital Newstand.
9. Bulk up. Buy household staples in bulk, at a discount, or on sale.
10. Get handy. Tackle household projects on your own, if you can, instead of hiring someone for painting, garden work, tending the lawn or clearing the walkway.
11. Go green when you clean. Give up expensive cleaning supplies and learn how to make homemade solutions of vinegar, baking soda and dish soap (see recipes in How to Green Your Clean).
12. Don’t be late. Avoid unnecessary late fees and interest charges by paying bills on time. See how to use EasyWeb to stay on top of accounts, pay bills, set up automatic payments and more.

“Even if you already run a tight ship, it can be a good exercise to look over your monthly household expenses to track your home's operating costs and pinpoint the things you may have more control over,” says Farhaneh Haque, Director, Mortgage Advice, TD Canada Trust. “If you realize any savings, consider using that cash to make an extra mortgage payment each year, or increase your regular mortgage payment amount by topping it up to the next even dollar amount that you can afford. Over time, this can significantly reduce interest costs and help you pay down your mortgage quicker.”