Incorporating Energy Efficiency Into Real Estate

[Alex Sloan]

Hi everyone, what are your thoughts on incorporating comprehensive Energy Efficiency upgrades into residential real estate sales and also investment strategies? For example, upgrading all lightbulbs to LEDs, appliances to Energy Star rated, as well as air sealing & insulation. 

- Have folks out there found that there is increased consumer awareness around efficiency? 

- Are there any members who have adopted a practice of installing (or recommending) high efficiency equipment for their units? 

Here are the barriers I typically hear: 

Home Sale:  Avoiding anything that might slow down a sale without significant return (e.g., add'l construction/rehab time). 

Investors: The landlord-tenant split incentive. Why invest in efficiency if tenants are paying the bills. 

For any local folks - I will be working with some home performance contractors in the Bay Area (Concord, CA Contra Costa County) to put on a networking event next Thursday 11/3 to discuss benefits and barriers.