Your home has missed out on a little TLC over the winter. While others may tell you to dust your baseboards and wash all of your curtains to give your home the love it needs, Traton Homes has some things that you should be doing to your home that you may not even be thinking about to keep it performing at its best. Below are a few suggestions.

Inspect your air conditioner: The last thing you want to do is to try to turn on the A/C on the first day that the heat has become too unbearable to keep the air off any longer and find that it’s not working. Call a qualified HVAC contractor now to make sure your system is running efficiently.

Check your water heater: This is another major appliance that you don’t want to go out. If your unit is older than five years, then check the bottom for any leaking or rusting. If you find any, then it’s probably time to replace the unit.

Check for leaky window sills: Once you do turn on your A/C, you don’t want all that cool air to leak outside. Check your window sills, door sill and thresholds for cracks, replace your weather stripping and caulk the edges.

Traton Homes is a metro Atlanta home builder that has been building quality new homes for more than 40 years.

For more information, visit http://www.TratonHomes.com.

Every Bay Area home is made with the aforementioned amenities in addition to high-efficiency toilets and low VOC paints. These homes offer reduced levels of pollution, green house gases and are less dependent on finite energy sources.

Buyers of Signature Homes not only promote health in the environment, they also save money by investing in homes equipped with environmentally conscious elements. These elements improve residents’ quality of life as they save energy and money. Build It Green has come alongside Signature Homes to ensure that every home is constructed with environmentally conscious materials.

The builder constructs new homes in several Bay Area and Sacramento communities with features such as elegant kitchens, ceramic tile flooring, granite slab countertops and Whirlpool appliance packages in addition to their energy saving construction.

Signature Homes has built over 6,000 homes in more than 70 residential communities in the Bay Area and Sacramento region with no end in sight. Thousands of buyers have become part of the Signature Homes family and with new plans on the horizon, there will be many more to come.

Signature Homes has sought to combine the environmentally conscious elements of green building with sophisticated design in each of its unique Bay Area homes. These energy saving amenities provide homeowners with energy renewable homes that are both affordable and luxurious.

For more information about Signature Homes or its communities, visit the website.

Below are some tips provided by the National Corn Growers Association to get you started.

• Fill Up with Ethanol: Gasoline with 10 percent ethanol not only helps lower gas prices, but it also assists with stretching the petroleum supply. Recently, experts noted that ethanol has lowered gas prices by 15 percent, saving drivers $70 billion dollars this year alone.
• Purchase Hybrids or Flex Fuel Vehicles: You can save money at the gas pump while helping the environment when you invest in a hybrid or vehicle that runs on E-85, an 85 percent ethanol blend fuel.
• Buy Locally Grown Foods: Packaging, transportation, advertising and profits account for 24 cents on the food dollar. By choosing local meat, milk and produce, you not only support your local farmers, you also eliminate the costly transportation bill.
• Turn off Your Home: According to the United States Department of Energy, a whopping 75 percent of electricity used in a home occurs while your appliances are off. Unplug these items or use a power strip to cut off power when not in use.
• Set Your Thermostat: Although winter may seem months away, keeping your home nice and toasty raises your energy bill. Keep in mind that for every degree you lower the thermostat in the 60 to 70 degree range this winter, you’ll save 5 percent on your home’s heating costs.

These are just a few of the things you can do to help lower your energy bills while making a positive impact on the environment.

Do you have more money and energy saving tips? Share them here.

“Austin, Texas is an alluring location because of its sophisticated style and taste,” said Duke McDowell, president of Sterling Custom Homes. “We strive to provide custom homes that match each of our client’s individual preferences as well as the city’s unique charm.”

If you’re interested in calling Austin home, then contact Sterling Custom Homes. For more than 20 years, the Austin builder has been one of the top home builders in Texas boasting cutting-edge designs and unique floor plans, to fit every buyer’s needs.

Not sure if you want to live in one Austin’s premier custom home, private gated and resort golf communities? Sterling’s homes are featured at all types of luxury locations. You’ll find them at Lakeway, Village of the Hills, Rough Hollow, Caslano, Seven Oaks, Barton Creek, Mirador Drive, River Place, Spanish Oaks and The Reserve at Lake Travis.

Why put it off any longer? Contact Sterling Custom Homes today to begin designing the home of your dreams.

Not only is Austin faring better than most cities during the economic crisis, but it’s also a great location for those looking to add a little culture into their lives. The city is known for its unique local art and music scenes, history, picturesque landscapes and luxury homes.

If you’re ready to make Austin the location for your next home, then visit Sterling Custom Homes. For more than 20 years, the Austin home builders have been known for their cutting-edge, custom home designs and distinctive floor plans.

You can find Sterling’s homes at many communities throughout Austin including Escavera at Flintrock Falls, Lakeway, Village of the Hills, Rough Hollow, Caslano, Seven Oaks, Barton Creek, Mirador Drive, River Place and Spanish Oaks.

For more information, visit the Sterling Custom Homes website.