The Vermont Green Home Alliance has completed the guide Appraised Value and Energy Efficiency: Getting It Right for building design professionals, builders, home performance contractors, appraisers, lenders, and real estate agents. This guide is intended to help professionals prepare for the increasing level of high performance new home construction and existing home energy efficiency improvement happening in Vermont.
Energy
Efficiency Vermont warns shoppers about low-quality LEDs
Efficiency Vermont is warning consumers about low-quality, non-certified LEDs that have recently started to flood the lighting market. These products may not perform when it comes to light quality, energy savings, and lifetime. By choosing an ENERGY STAR® certified LED bulb, shoppers can rest assured they are getting the highest-quality product with guaranteed savings.
VerMod company creates employment opportunties (and high-efficiency homes)
Steve Davis, owner of the Wilder-based VerMod company is becoming recognized not just for his company's high quality modular homes but for the employment opportunities he has created for residents of the Hartford Dismas House. Dismas provides group-setting affordable housing to people recently released from prison. Read more in Sunday's Valley News.
Still time to register for the 2015 Green Real Estate Symposium
There's still time to register for the 2015 Green Real Estate Symposium on October 29, 2015, at the Lake Morey Resort.
The symposium features powerhouse speakers and leading instructors in the real estate industry.
Read more or download the conference flyer.
Renewable Energy 2015 (RE 2015) is Vermont’s annual convention bringing together key players in the renewables sector. This year's conference, slated for October 8 & 9, highlights current energy challenges, Vermont’s leadership role in the energy industry, and the steps needed to implement an integrated energy infrastructure.
New Appraisal Institute Registry for sustainable buildings
A new Appraisal Institute Registry has come out listing both Vermont residential and commercial appraisers who have successfully completed the Appraisal Institute's Valuation of Sustainable Buildings Professional Development Program. Residential appraisers must complete 28 hours of course work and pass three exams while commercial appraisers have to complete 35 hours of course work and also pass three exams.
VHFA awards $2.98 million in affordable housing tax credits
On Monday, April 20, the VHFA Board of Commissioners committed $2.55 million in federal low-income housing tax credits and $432,500 in state housing tax credits to expand Vermont’s stock of affordable, energy-efficient housing. The tax credits will generate approximately $23.5 million in upfront equity for the construction and rehabilitation of 452 primarily rental homes across the state, guaranteed to remain affordable for at least 30 years.
What is the market for new, modest-sized, highly energy-efficient homes in Vermont?
This question was recently the focus of a Vermont-based consulting team under the direction of The High Meadows Fund and Efficiency Vermont. The team, composed of VHFA, Energy Futures Group, Milne-Allen Appraisal Company and Fifth Element Associates, conducted extensive housing market, demographic and direct consumer research.