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Saving money is a top priority for many homeowners. And as more people learn about the money savings benefits of high-performance and energy efficient homes and upgrades, the demand for these improvements is growing.

If you are among the growing number of homeowners who are planning to make major energy efficient upgrades to your existing home, or if you are working with your home builder to incorporate high-performance features into your home you may be wondering what the top energy efficient features and upgrades are.

According to ENERGY STAR studies, the average household’s heating and cooling expenses account for more than half of the energy bills, while about 30% goes to lighting and appliances, with the remainder of energy costs are from heating water (source: Bankrate.com). It is important to note how many factors come into play with the efficiency of a heating and cooling system, however: insulation, windows, thermal envelope, duct work integrity, and the heating and cooling systems themselves.

Suzanne Shelton, CEO of one of the top sustainability marketing research firms, the Shelton Group, says when it comes to what buyers are looking for, 47% look for ENERGY STAR appliances, 44% want high-efficiency windows, and high-efficiency HVAC equipment is important to 30% of customers (source: EcoHome Magazine).

While an efficient HVAC might not be the most glamorous selling point on it’s own, when taken into combination with energy efficient window upgrades that are necessary for better performance and are a top point for home buyers, getting control over your home’s heating and cooling is a top priority for the comfort and value of your home-not to mention your pocketbook. That is not to say that appliances and lighting aren’t important, nor should they be ignored-they make up a sizable chunk of your energy costs and should be made a priority as well.

It is important to approach each home and project on an individual basis, beginning with an energy audit especially if the home was built more than 5-10 years ago. You can also find ENERGY STAR partners in St Louis to help your begin your energy efficient upgrades and construction projects to help clarify the process and what is right for your home by searching the ENERGY STAR website..

This custom bathroom is part of a three-story addition we built for clients in Clayton, MO

The “2011-12 Cost Versus Value Report” from Remodeling Magazine. This annual report shows the costs for the average home renovation project and the return on investment (i.e. increased home value or resale value).

The costs and values are calculated on a national level, regionally level, and broken down further to a individual cities making the report a great guide to help St Louis homeowners decide where their home addition and renovation dollars should be spent.

You can view the full Cost Versus Value Report report for St Louis, and the region, on Remodeling Magazine’s website, but here is a quick look at the St Louis renovation and remodeling projects that will increase your home’s value, broken down by interior versus exterior improvements:

Exterior Improvements
Often heralded as one of the top selling points of a home, your home’s curb appeal is the first impression your home makes and, according to the “2011-12 Cost Versus Value Report”, the top five exterior improvement projects that boost a St Louis home’s value are:

1. Building a Wood Deck – 70% of the cost is recouped
2. Vinyl Siding Replacement – 64% of the cost is recouped
3. Building a Composite Deck – 63.4% of the cost is recouped
4. Wood Window Replacement – 59.5% of cost recouped
5. Vinyl Window Replacement – 58.9% of cost recouped
Honorable Mentions: Garage Door Replacement with 58.6% of cost recouped

Interior Improvements
Custom additions and renovations are a great way to add extra mileage to your home if you plan to stay put, and many of them will also increase the value of your home if you are eager to sell. According to the “2011-12 Cost Versus Value Report” here are the top five interior renovations and additions that will most likely increase the value of your home:

1. Attic Bedroom Renovation – 62.3% of costs recouped
2. Kitchen Remodel or Renovation (an average of major and minor renovations) – 60.7% of cost recouped
3. Bathroom Renovation – 55.1% of costs recouped
4. Two Story Addition – 53.6% of costs recouped
5. Basement Renovation – 52.4% of costs recouped

These numbers skew differently across the country and even throughout the region, but the data shows some interesting trends that impact homeowners buying or selling a preexisting home, and some of the more important features to be aware of when building a new home in St Louis.

It’s the season for food, family and holiday gift giving…and sometimes it can all be a bit overwhelming. While we can help you with the food and family part, we can help get your holiday shopping in check if you have a home improvement junkie or DIY aficionado on your list.

A coveted tool is an obvious choice for the type who spends their weekends fixing, building and tinkering. But if you’re hoping to get a little more creative this year, here are a few gifts that we think really fit the bill…

The Gorillatorch flexible flashlight, $34.95 from Red Envelope It has been proven time and time again that having your child or spouse hold the flashlight while you get under the sink ends up with more conversations about where the light needs to go than actual time fixing. There is always something more fascinating and the light you so badly need will inevitably shine in that direction rather than the one you need it to. The Gorillatorch eliminates wobbling lights from tired or distracted arms and has three flexible arms to help is cling and direct light right where it is need. You can clip on a cabinet door, twist around a basement pipe, or even just have it set up in the middle of the room during a power outage.

12-Pocket Magnetic Tool Belt, $29.99 from Home Depot Now this is for the serious home improver, the guy who walks around with a hammer all weekend even when not working on a project hoping to find an errant nail to get back in line. From creating a set of built-in bookshelves to hanging cabinets, this magnetic tool belt helps keep nails, screws and tools handy even when working atop a ladder. As an added bonus, having everything handy also eliminates the need to have a helper in the room to help hand-off screws and nails when it comes project time…well a bonus if you happen to be the designated tool and nail handing person during projects.

360 Electrical Four-Outlet, Rotating Plug-in Surge Protector, $14.99 from SmartHome.com Sometimes it just takes a power tool to get a job done. And then sometimes it just takes a handful of power tools, and a workshop radio. This handy four outlet surge protector make a great addition to any workshop, and with the rotating plugs it also makes getting cords to stretch to the right location during your work a snap. This also makes a great gift for the electronics fan on your list because the rotating outlets allow for up to four of those bulky charging adapters that seem to come with all electronics these days to be plugged into a single outlet.

Home Improvement 1-2-3, Expert Advice from the Home Depot, $13.99 Amazon.com So a whiz with wood doesn’t always know what to do with a leaky sink. And sometimes there are home improvement projects that wouldn’t hurt if they had a guiding hand. This book has information on kitchens, baths, windows, doors and even laying tile. It also offers advice on the right tools for the job, which can help round out holiday wish lists for years to come. This great guide is considered a “workbench classic”, and makes a great gift for the beginning DIY’er who, a first-time homeowner or even the seasoned home improver to help them tackle new and different projects.

While tools, especially ones they have asked for, always make a great gift for the home improver, these gifts make great gifts that are unique, fun and at these prices they are even great stocking stuffers.