Most of us regularly remove the lint from our dryer's lint trap on a regular basis, but have you ever cleaned or checked the outside vent connected to your dryer? It's imperative to make sure the vent isn't just clean, but that the flap opens and closes properly. If the flap is left wide open, it can allow cold air to flow into your home during the cold winter months. If your clothing doesn't dry completely after a normal drying cycle, it's a good time to check the dryer vent. There are professional services that can inspect, fix and clean the vent for about $150. They'll also make sure there aren't any wild animals who have built nests in the vent lines (they love the warm air) and will get everything working as good as new.

For many of us, our computer is a necessary part of doing business. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, if every computer in the United States were switched to an Energy Star-approved model, we'd recoup about $1 billion in annual energy savings in just one year (and reduce greenhouse gas emission by 15 billion pounds). When shopping for new computer equipment, look for the Energy Star logo on desktops, laptops and small-scale servers to find the most energy-efficient models. Learn more at energystar.gov.

Would you believe the biggest killer of birds in the United States -- 1.3 billion feathered friends per year -- are cats? If you have a pet cat and can't keep it inside, be sure to add a bell to its collar. Since cats have the ability to stalk their prey and pounce, a small bell can make just enough noise to give warning to the birds (and other small animals) that they're in harm's way. You can find other collars designed to prevent cats from harming birds, but a simple bell works just fine.