Going Green at Home: Tips from a St. Louis New Home Builder

Posted by Elizabeth on January 19, 2012

No matter how energy efficient your new home is, the winter months can still cause a drain on your wallet with all the extra heating costs. Fischer & Frichtel, a St. Louis custom home builder, offers clients green building options to keep energy costs down and help the environment. But if you’re not yet in the home of your dreams or are looking for ways to go green this winter, Fischer & Frichtel would like to offer these tips to cut your energy bill and do a good deed for Mother Nature.

• Check for air leaks. One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to keep your house warm and energy efficient is by plugging leaks. Older homes may let air in through cracks and seams. Check weather stripping, windows, doors and any other place cold air might be getting into your home. You don’t necessarily have to replace old windows and doors, just fix where the air is coming in through.
• Look for “green” appliances. One major source of energy use in the house is your appliances, like the dishwasher and laundry machine. An Energy Star laundry machine, for example, can use 50% less energy and save over 20 gallons per load. Not only is that kind to Mother Nature, but it‘ll be kind to your wallet.
• Program your thermostat. While a 62 degree house might sound a bit chilly, lowering your thermostat when you’re asleep or away from home can save you some serious money. Program your thermostat to 62 or below at night and when you’re away, then program it to a more comfortable temperature for the hours when you are home and awake. That way you’ll never notice the chill, just the savings!

Whether you’re big into the green movement or just looking for a way to cut down on costs, these tips can help you keep warm and save some cash. For more tips from a St. Louis new home builder, stay tuned!