Mischer News

According to the USDE, the typical U.S. family spends about $1,900 a year on home utility bills? Unfortunately, a large portion of that energy is wasted. And each year, electricity generated by fossil fuels for a single home puts more carbon dioxide into the air than two average cars. The good news is that there are many changes, both large and small, that you can make to save energy and money at home.

In an excerpt from a recent Consumer Energy Savings Guide, it is suggested that “the key to achieving savings in your home is a whole-house energy efficiency plan. To take a whole-house approach, view your home as an energy system with interdependent parts. For example, your heating system is not just a furnace—it's a heat-delivery system that starts at the furnace and delivers heat throughout your home using a network of ducts. Even a top-of-the-line, energy-efficient furnace will waste a lot of fuel if the ducts, walls, attic, windows, and doors are not properly sealed and insulated. Taking a whole-house approach to saving energy ensures that dollars you invest to save energy are spent wisely.” Begin by choosing a conservatively minded builder, in an eco-conscious development, such as those designed by Mischer, known for their meticulous planning and communities designed to emphasize nature preserves and greenbelts.

Simply put, begin with easy steps. Be conscious and unplug your electronics when not in use, or better yet, plug TV’s, computers and other “energy hogs” into an electrical strip that can be turned off when you’re not at home. Raising your air conditioning to the highest comfortable temperature in the summer and running heat to the lowest comfortable temperature in the winter will pay off quickly and when possible opt for a stroll, ride your bike or use the stairs instead of an elevator when running local errands. Over the course of a year, these small lifestyle changes can add up to real savings.

For the more aggressive, seasoned energy pincher, an in-home evaluation from local electricity providers can provide a bigger picture. By pointing out major leaks in windows and doors, inefficient appliances and a detailed “ways to save” analysis, homeowners can make tax rewarding improvements to their whole house.

Energy-efficient improvements not only make your home more comfortable, they can yield long-term financial rewards. Reduced utility bills more than make up for slightly higher price tags on these energy-efficient appliances and improvements. And, best of all, your home could bring in a higher price when it comes time to sell!