Renewable energy sources provide about 16 percent of the world’s energy with biomass accounting for 10 percent. Mainly used for heating, biomass has surpassed the national use of oil in Sweden.

Wind power currently provides about 1 percent of the nation's energy needs, but that capacity is rapidly expanding and is expected to contribute more to the power supply in the future.

Depending on the location, one high-efficiency wind turbine, like those installed at the SC Johnson’s Waxdale facility in Wisconsin, can eliminate about 3,000 metric tons of carbon emissions each year. That's the equivalent of the emissions emitted by 588 passenger vehicles or the burning of 16 rail cars of coal.

Solar power is the most inexpensive source of renewable energy for most homeowners and renters. Residential solar panel installation costs have dropped in recent years. Projects can range from a full rooftop array providing all of a home's power to a tiny panel.

Refrigerators consume a lot of electricity, with 20-year-old models using as much as 1,176 kilowatt-hours and costing upwards of $200 per year to run, but new models are much more efficient. To save money on your power bill, look for Energy Star-certified appliances, set the temperature at 38 degrees for the fresh food compartment, and make sure the fridge doors are airtight.

An LED bulb will save you a minimum of $40 in electricity costs over its lifetime versus incandescent. If Americans replaced 20 million traditional bulbs with LED bulbs, we'd save more than $118 million in energy costs each year and prevent the equivalent of 150,000 vehicles’ worth of emissions.

Setting your thermostat 10 degrees lower can cut your heating bill by 10 to 20 percent, depending on your heating source, the size of your home, and how long you keep the temperature lowered. Experts recommend sticking to 60 degrees at night, and 68 degrees when you're awake and at home for maximum energy savings.