Primary marketReal Estate Community Teams To Fight High Energy Bills
In anticipation of one of the most expensive summers on record due to escalating energy bills, Realtors and homebuilders are joining forces with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help homeowners cut high fuel costs while doing some savvy marketing to consumers.
At the core of energy savings for consumers is Energy Star labeled products. Energy Star is a government/industry partnership that makes it easy for businesses and consumers to save money while protecting the environment through the use or promotion of energy-efficient products.
Ideal for remodeling or product replacements or new home purchases, Energy Star labeled products are wide-ranging, from light bulbs to windows, from VCRs to air conditioning systems. A newly built Energy Star labeled home is at least 30% more energy efficient in its heating, cooling and water heating than a comparable home built to the Model Energy Code.
Because of their energy efficiency features, Energy Star labeled homes are more comfortable, more durable, cost less to own, help reduce fossil fuel consumption, promote clean air and even discourage pest invasions.
So how does that translate into marketing opportunities for Realtors? By giving them a cause to trumpet. While Realtors don"t partner directly with Energy Star, they can partner with companies that offer the products.
Pacific Northwest broker and energy activist J. Lennox Scott isn"t taking the coming energy crisis lying down, nor is he about to miss a great opportunity to distinguish his brokerage. Along with Puget Sound Energy, Energy Star and the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, Scott has involved his company, John L. Scott Real Estate, in a unique program that promotes energy efficiency information to new homeowners.
Between the months of April and June, John L. Scott real estate agents will be distributing 1,000 “Welcome Bags” to new home owners which are filled with energy-saving information. Included will be items such as a free compact fluorescent light bulb, coupons for discounts on Energy Star-labeled appliances and other products from Sears and The Home Depot. Additionally, John L. Scott offices throughout Washington, Oregon and Idaho will have energy efficiency information available for the public, which can also be found on the company"s Web site.
What makes the program unique is that it is Realtor-focused and makes the brokerage the information point-of-contact on energy efficiency.
“The energy crisis is a very serious issue impacting everyone in the Northwest,” says Scott, “So we jumped at the opportunity to partner with these worthy organizations to help inform our clients and the public about energy efficiency.”
Homebuilders are cashing in, too. In key relocation areas such as Houston, Dallas, Las Vegas and Phoenix, builders are partnering with the EPA to create energy-efficient and environmentally friendly homes.One of the leading builders in Houston, Newmark Homes has been recognized by the National Association of Builders EnergyValue Housing Awards for four consecutive years.
With energy rates in Houston increasing approximately 30 percent, homebuyers are beginning to demand energy efficient homes. “We realized years ago that building homes that conserve energy not only makes economic sense for the homeowner, but it is environmentally the right thing to do,” said executive vice president of purchasing and plan development Mike Beckett. “At Newmark, we feel it would be a disservice to homeshoppers if we didn’t offer energy efficient and healthier homes,” he said. “With the recent deregulation of the utility industry and with energy bills on the rise, homeowners should be concerned with energy efficiency and higher electric bills. Here in Houston, every Newmark Home will be built to the Energy Star rating.”
Affordable homebuilders like Morgan Kendal are also starting to take part in the Energy Star program by building homes that reduce energy consumption. “Energy efficient homes increase the net disposal income for our homebuyers,” said chief financial officer and consultant for Morgan Kendal Homes Greg Stewart. “These homes also have a positive impact on the environment, particularly clean air quality issues,” he concluded.
Beginning on June 1, homebuilders in California will again be required to improve the energy efficiency of the homes they build. Per Title 24, Addendum AB970, California builders must increase the efficiency of every home at least 12 percent on average.
All consumers have to do is look for the ENERGY STAR®. And all builders have to do is become a partner with the EPA, and they will be rewarded with a listing in the site"s directory of energy-efficiency partners. Partners also include Energy Star lenders.
Realtors interested in contacting the EPA for more information as well as linking opportunities can Wendy Reed with Energy Star Communications at 202-564-1253 or at reed.wendy@epa.gov.