Excellence in Retailing is awarded to companies in the retail sector for commitment to selling ENERGY STAR certified products.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy honored 128 businesses and organizations in 33 states for their commitment to protecting the environment and saving energy.

Metro Lighting also received a second award, the Energy Star® Partner of the Year award for Climate Communications. This is awarded to partners that have raised their customers’ awareness of the impact of climate change through communications campaigns that encourage their customers to fight climate change with the help of ENERGY STAR or emphasize how energy-efficient behaviors have a positive effect on the environment.

We have worked with Metro Lighting since 1996, and they have been our sole lighting provider since 2010, with an estimated 100 homes served by Metro. Their attention to detail, excellent customer service and commitment to green initiatives make them a joy to work with.

“Metro is great at educating the various trades they supply to,” said Amie Riggs. “They have great events like the Show Me LED Expo for the 4th year. This is an extremely helpful event because light bulbs and all the government mandated laws can be confusing.”

Congratulations to Metro Lighting on this huge honor! We look forward to seeing what you accomplish next.

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As Certified Green Professionals, we truly understand the importance of creating an energy efficient home. While many green alternatives vary in price, you don’t have to break the bank in order to make your home more energy efficient.

The following are some simple steps you can take to keep you home cool this summer!

• Close the gaps – Be sure your windows and doors all have tight seals. If you feel a draft, apply caulk or replace seals, weather stripping and sweeps.
• Insulation – Cool air isn’t a premium in St. Louis—don’t let it escape! Take a look in your attic and make sure you have sufficient insulation installed, and that all areas are covered with no gaps. Energy Star recommends at least R-38 insulation in our area.
• Duct Work – Energy Star also recommends sealing your duct work joints with aluminum foil tape, where cool air can escape as it travels up through your vents.
• Close Vents – If you have any rooms in your home that are either unused or used sparingly, keep the vents and doors closed when they aren’t in use.
• Thermostat – While we realize the dog days of July in St. Louis can be quite brutal, we recommend keeping your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher. Try using ceiling fans to help offset spikes in temperature.
• Clean Air Filter – The more you’re A/C runs, the more dust and dirt you will find in your filter. During the hottest months, we recommend cleaning your air filter out every week, ensuing maximum performance and efficiency.

If you need help with any of these projects, or if you’ve got something bigger to tackle, contact RIGGS Company & Design today!

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