Sure, it isn't a common choice for most of us, but flying on a private plane is far more wasteful than choosing a commercial flight. In fact, a single four-hour private jet flight can generate more CO2 emissions than one commercial airline passenger produces in an entire year. Even on commercial flights, the type of seat you choose matters: first-class travel can be up to five times more carbon-intensive than economy due to the larger amount of space per passenger. Economy seating allows more people to fly per square foot, resulting in lower CO2 emissions per person.

Did you know that buying a used kitchen knife from a resell site like eBay can save as much as 90% of the energy costs needed to make a new knife? You can sanitize a used knife in seconds at home. If the knife does not have a plastic handle, place it in boiling water for 30 seconds. Turn off the heat and let the knife sit in the hot water, then slowly pour the boiling water out; allow it to cool to room temperature. If the knife has a plastic handle, fill a pot with the hottest water that comes out of the tap and let it soak for 15 seconds. Remove with tongs and scrub with an old toothbrush to remove any debris.

An area rug is an easy way to add a decorative touch to a space, but it's also a fantastic way to improve the energy efficiency of your house. Rugs and carpet are great insulators, and they can transform chilly floors into warm, cozy places. Studies have shown using a rug pad and rug can have the most impact on insulating your floors. They improve efficiency for all types of floors -- wood, ceramic and laminate -- and can reduce your heating bills by around 5%.