The city of Edmond via Edmond Electric wants would-be home buyers to think that energy efficiency doesn't necessarily cost them up-front.
Bog Corff, of Edmond Electric, quoted in the article:
"It's just a matter of showing people that it's possible and that it doesn't have to break the pocketbook to do it,” Corff said. "Efficiency and amenities should be affordable and able to coexist in a home.”
Jim brings it back down from the cosmos...
That's just to get it to Energy Star standards, and there are numerous ways to get there that vary in cost. The kicker, though, as the article continues...
Corff wants the E4 to score better than the minimum Energy Star rating.
Now we're talking some
serious bucks. Even at a conservative estimate of $10/ft on a 1,500 s.f.
(MOL!!!) home, that's still $15K. Sure, there's a long-tail return on the investment for the buyer, but only if he lives there long enough.
Realistically, if you ask the average Joe Oklahoman if he'd rather spend $15,000 to be able to say he's "gone green," versus getting his 3-car garage, his wife's granite kitchen tops, and that new 50" LG plasma he's been lusting for, I'm guessing the only green you'll be seeing is on his lawn. On a house less than 2,000 square feet, Joe certainly won't be able to opt for both until appraisers start recognizing dollar-for-dollar value for energy efficiency enhancements.
Let me be clear:
I believe we should be building homes that are increasingly more energy efficient. I'm always seeking to implement improved products and practices that increase efficiency in mine.
That being said, though, it's a blatant falsehood to suggest that energy efficient homes, ala the
Energy Star standard or beyond, don't cost more to build in order to make them that way.
