Government program actually gets one right
 
It ain't the sexiest tip in the world, but next to recycling, it might be the most useful. In 2005, the EPA's Energy Star program helped Americans save $12 billion on utility bills and enough energy to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 23 million cars. Today the Energy Star seal appears on nearly every kind of electronic appliance there is, from television and computer monitors to washers and dryers, to light bulbs and ceiling fans.

For a helpful pre-winter tip on making your house as energy efficient as possible, check out Energy Star's interactive presentation. You'll be thankful for the knowledge and kind of in awe that the government could put something together that is so cool.