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On February 23, 2010 I had the honor of presenting to the North California chapter of the Appraisal Institute at Fort Washington Country Club. I was representing the California Association of HERS Raters, a 501 c 6 non-profit Trade Association, serving as Executive Director. The organization was created for Title 24 energy efficiency professionals.

I was consulting for the City of Fresno at the time under Joseph Oldham, Sustainability Manager at City Hall. My cubicle was next to Bruce Barnes’ and I came to know him as a genuine guy. Bruce was part of the presentation and articulated the City of Fresno's efforts to make our region a better place. Truly I’ve never worked with more sincere people than at City Hall.

Dave Robinson, Chairperson at the California Building Performance Contractors Association (CBPCA) presented on his Green Earth Equities business model. Green Earth Equities uses no government money and rehabilitates homes making the energy efficient, comfortable, and that provide superior air quality. All of this bringing value to the buyer, profit to the investors, increased property tax base for the City, and generally improving the quality of life for people for an area.

Tenaya Asan, program manager at Build it Green, was helpful in providing studies on how new greened up homes sell for more, sell faster, have a lower callback rate, and are healthier. But the studies were for new homes. The thrust of my presentation was that greened up homes should cost more because they’re worth more.

The bottom line is that a home is only worth as much as someone is willing to pay for it. But energy efficiency, comfort, and health of the home have value. I don’t care what anybody says. Some people think energy efficiency should be mandated. But the last thing many people want is another law that mandates something. But there’s a better way. Education!

If thinking home owners knew the implications of an inefficient home they would demand that the house was fixed either through borrowing a bit more on the mortgage or negotiating with the seller. I know I would.

Listen to Bruce Barnes here (MP3 15MB)

Listen to Dave Robinson here (MP3 33MB)

Listen to John Richau here (MP3_40MB)