If you feel like lingering in a hot shower to luxuriate and relax a little, why not take a bath instead? A typical shower uses about 5 gallons of water per minute, while a hot bath uses around 30 gallons total. If you shower longer than 6 minutes, a nice hot bubble bath will actually be much more water-efficient. And with a bath, you can linger and soak for as long as you want, all without the guilt of wasting water.

The refrigerator is one of the biggest energy hogs in the house, so it's key to make sure it runs efficiently to save electricity and money. If you don't use your automatic icemaker often, consider turning it off. A study by Time magazine found that the average icemaker increases energy usage by 12 to 20 percent. By simply turning it off, you'll significantly improve efficiency. Want ice? Consider filling silicone ice cube trays with water and using them instead of an automatic icemaker.

Whether flying by plane or driving by car, the weight of your luggage can have an impact on overall fuel efficiency. The heavier your bags, the more fuel planes and cars have to use to transport you. So pack light and leave things like hair dryers and extra pairs of shoes behind at home. And toss in a reusable water bottle and lightweight reusable bag; the water bottle can be filled with filtered water at the hotel gyms or at airport water fountains, and the reusable bag can be used when you pick up souvenirs or basic supplies from local stores.