Energy Features will be included in Commercial Building Appraisals

June 13, 2011 - In my work with Buffalo Exchange, we are in the thick of the design phase of a commercial building restoration. We included many energy upgrades, like lighting, daylighting, and HVAC. The interior will make use of local materials, and reclaimed timber. This article (READ FULL ARTICLE HERE) prompted a renewed confidence in these types of investments in local commercial buildings. As a business owner, it is essential that a project such as this will make sense for the future growth of the business and be financially sound for the owners and investors.
~Kathy

"Under the new partnership, the Department of Energy and The Appraisal Foundation will work to ensure that appraisers nationwide have the information, practical guidelines, and professional resources they need to evaluate energy performance when conducting commercial building appraisals. This will help enable investors, building owners and operators, and others to accurately assess the value of energy efficiency as part of the building's overall appraisal."

Financing for Energy Efficiency Upgrades

April 21, 2011 - The DOE and HUD recently announced the creation of a PowerSaver loan to aid in financing for homeowners to pay for energy efficiency upgrades to their homes. This pilot program will showcase how easy upgrades will save long term energy costs, both for the homeowner and the country. Boulder has a long history with trial and error in financing for retrofits and energy savings measures but this widespread plan will set a precedent and create a model that works for municipalities, homeowners, businesses and banks.

~Kathy

"Backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), these new PowerSaver loans will offer homeowners up to $25,000 to make energy-efficient improvements of their choice, including the installation of insulation, duct sealing, replacement doors and windows, HVAC systems, water heaters, solar panels, and geothermal systems."
- Read the full article from the DOE here!

EnergySmart Lookin Good for Boulder so far...

This is a great snapshot of why EnergySmart of Boulder County won't end up like ClimateSmart/ClimateStupid. Read more from the Daily Camera...

ClimateSmart becomes ClimateStupid

The Boulder Weekly gives a great update on what happened to the ClimateSmart Loan program in Boulder County. This blog started as a dialogue between energy experts and homeowners who were looking for more details on this program as it initially rolled out. I worked with many contractors who were actively marketing with ClimateSmart and many, many jobs were created as a result of this groundbreaking program. While all PACE programs (like ClimateSmart) continue to dangle in the hands of national policy makers, Boulder County is moving on with it's newest program for both residential and commercial projects: EnergySmart. Lets hope it doesn't become EnergyStupid. Thanks Boulder Weekly for a balanced assessment of the continued trials and tribulations of becoming a more efficient, sustainable nation.
See: www.energysmartyes.com for details on the current program.

News on the PACE Program

National dialog about the PACE programs continues, many of which have been in limbo since last year. One such victim is Boulder County's CimateSmart Loan Program. The residential financing options have been limited ever since.

Boulder County continues to push forward, with their new DOE grant funded program EnergySmart YES (Your Energy Service) see more at www.energysmartyes.com

Stay tuned for more as these programs develop and launch in the coming weeks!