Wrapping a heater jacket or blanket around the tank of a water heater is a simple job and can help you reduce heating loss by as much as 45 percent. There's a simple test to know if your water heater needs insulation: Give it a touch. If it’s warm, it needs insulation. But if you have an electric water heater, you should also consider insulating underneath the tank. According to the Department of Energy, installing something called a “bottom board” will add another 4 to 9 percent to your overall savings in water heating costs.

Hitting the slopes can be an expensive proposition. It can also be a wasteful one if you’ve never skied before and decide it's not for you -- only after buying all the necessary equipment and clothes. Before you make the financial commitment, considering renting. Ski equipment is easy to rent, but now ski clothes (parkas, snow pants, helmets, etc.) can be rented. The website getoutfitted.com makes it easy: Browse and order your rentals online, and the company will ship them directly to your house. When you’re done, just pack them all in the box and use the prepaid shipping label to send them back.

Need a small ice scraper for your car to help you navigate through the rough and chilly winter weather? Since ice scrapers are inexpensive and easy to find, go one green step further and look for one that’s made from 100 percent recycled materials. Many scrapers are now made from 100 percent recycled plastic from old soda, juice and water bottles. The same bottles you put out for recycling are collected, shredded and made into new products, including these ice scrapers. And if you’re a small business looking to promote, many online promotional product companies now stock them and can customize them with your logo.