Many game consoles like the Xbox and PlayStation do more than just play games, they also let users stream movies. But when watching movies at home, reconsider watching them through the game console. On average, they use twice as much energy as watching a movie through on-demand services from the cable company or a streaming service like Netflix. The game consoles are such huge energy wasters that they can use up to 30 times more energy versus other methods of streaming movies.

Did you know one of the biggest energy hogs in your home might be lurking in the basement -- and it's something you're not even aware you have? It's called a furnace fan, and it's designed to circulate air through the ductwork system and into individual rooms throughout your house. It's such a big energy hog, it uses about 10 percent of your average household energy every year. If you're looking to make one money-saving change, look into installing an energy-efficient motor, which can cut the usage by as much as 60 percent.

Did you know aluminum foil can be recycled in your curbside recycling bin? It's the same material as soda cans, and it can be recycled forever. When recycling aluminum foil, cleanliness is key. If baked-on food is still on the foil, wipe it clean or tear off the messy part before throwing it in the bin. If a batch of recyclable aluminum has too much food contamination, often it has to be tossed instead of recycled. When in doubt, toss it out.