Energy
efficiency is on your clients’ minds. Shouldn’t it be on yours?
Energy efficiency and “green”
have become part of the American lexicon and part of the thought process for
many U.S. homebuyers and sellers. Consider this:
Whether buying or selling,
it’s good business for Realtors® to highlight the energy-efficient
features of a home. As an informed Realtor®, you can guide clients through
marketing or buying an energy-efficient home¾one that will ultimately provide
better customer satisfaction; reduce monthly utility bills for the homeowner;
and, if you know how to market it, command a higher asking price
at resale.
Furthermore, one of the best
places to start going green is in your own office. There are plenty of
resources available to help you make your office and your business more energy
efficient.
Below, the U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE) provides a digest of resources for Realtors® to learn more about
energy-efficiency and how to incorporate it into their businesses.
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Web site |
Description |
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Find handy online calculators to help clients evaluate the home's energy use and potential need for energy-efficient improvements. |
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Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE) |
DSIRE is a comprehensive source of consumer information on state, local, utility, and federal financial incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. |
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A HUD program with a plethora of useful information great for anyone wishing to learn more about better building practices and technologies. |
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Learn more about programs supporting EERE’s mission to enhance energy efficiency and productivity; and make a difference in the everyday lives of Americans by enhancing their energy choices and their quality of life. |
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EERE’s E-Scale is an easy-to-understand tool that helps homebuyers and homeowners make smart energy decisions when purchasing, renting, or updating a home. |
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ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and DOE helping save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. |
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Products in more than 50 categories are eligible for the ENERGY STAR. If it is carrying the ENERGY STAR label, they use less energy, save money, and help protect the environment. |
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RESNET is a non-profit membership organization which certifies professional energy raters and sets standards for energy ratings. Find an energy auditor in your area. |
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Home Performance with ENERGY STAR (HPwES) is a program designed to help homeowners make money-saving energy improvements to the home. HPwES has strict quality control guidelines in place. See if a program exists in your neighborhood. |
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The Technology Inventory provides builders and interested homeowners a reliable source of information on new products or processes. Includes details on each technology and contact information for the manufacturers. |
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The Alliance to Save Energy promotes energy efficiency worldwide to achieve a healthier economy, a cleaner environment and greater energy security. |
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Articles and more resources on green building from your National Association. |
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The U.S. Green Building Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community of leaders working to make green buildings available to everyone within a generation. |
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This site can help you and your clients explore options for saving energy and using renewable energy at home, at work, in the community, and even while driving. |
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Title |
Description |
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A great handout. Tips on saving energy and money at home. |
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Helps clients understand the EnergyGuide label and how it can help compare the energy use of different appliance models. |
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A great online calculator designed to help consumers identify the ways to save energy given their own unique circumstances and timeframe, and find the resources to make the savings happen. |
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Information and handouts to repair or help prevent hurricane damage to the home. Great for clients in the Gulf States. |
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Hewlett Packard’s information on recycling computer equipment, printing supplies, rechargeable batteries and other items. |
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Whether you realize it or not, your company produces waste. And waste is a waste of time, money, resources and productivity. This fact sheet was developed to help you reduce and recycle waste at the office level. |
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Virtually any small business can improve its energy efficiency easily and cost-effectively, using the numerous resources that are available both from ENERGY STAR, as well as a wide variety of other organizations. |
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Great information resource for recycling just about anything; as well as other green info. See the recycling guide (enter zip code) at the top of the home page. |
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Description |
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Ahorro de Energía brinda consejos a los propietarios de viviendas para que puedan ahorrar energía y dinero en su hogar y en la carretera. |
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La información contenida en este sitio Web también está disponible en formato PDF. |
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Un mundo bello comienza contigo. |
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Recursos en Español. |
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Title |
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Games, tips, and facts just for kids who want to save energy! |
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For the science and technology-minded kid, a fun way to explore solar energy. |
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Great ideas for science fair time! |
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Motivate the great kids in your community to get involved. |
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Title |
Source |
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RISMedia PowerBroker Network Report |
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REALTOR Magazine |
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REALTOR Magazine |
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REALTOR Magazine |
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Finding Energy Leaks (includes video) |
REALTOR Magazine |
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REALTOR Review |
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REALTOR Magazine |
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Today’s Buyer’s Rep |
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On Common Ground |