Buildings and homes guzzle more energy than cars, and yet are largely overlooked in setting energy initiatives and policy. Sadly, so many homes in Utah are so poorly designed -- massive sizes with a minimum of insulation; vast windows facing West for the hot summer afternoon sun to drive up air conditioning needs; an over-abundance of incandescent lighting; poor attic ventilation so that hot air is trapped and heats up the living space; air conditioning ducts running through hot attics; multiple hot plasma TVs; inappropriate eave sizes that don't block out the sun in the summer; poor site positioning on lots; inappropriate water-intensive landscapping that doesn't shade houses properly; etc. If anything, green design simply makes a house more comfortable, and that should be enough incentive. Because most builders and designers don't know how to build with energy efficiency in mind and they claim that home buyers don't demand it, there's little incentive to build for smart efficiency. This green mortgage initiative is a step in the right direction! But more needs to be done to educate the public that their homes don't have to be uncomfortable or be drains on their wallets with regard to energy bills.

Thanks for sharing information about EEM. I am a Realtor in Dickson, TN, but I am also looking to purchase a home and make it green. I had never heard of that So I will definitely be looking into it. I also have been looking at the ecobroker program. Does it count towards CE credits in TN?
www.dicksontn-realestate.com