Real Estate Agents
What is Home Performance with ENERGY STAR®?
Home Performance with ENERGY STAR is a national program from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy that offers a comprehensive, whole-house approach to improving energy efficiency and comfort of homes, while helping to protect the environment. Oncor has teamed with the national ENERGY STAR program to offer a regional program for residential customers located in Oncor’s service area and served by an Oncor electric meter.
As you know, homebuyers will look at many homes before making a final decision. If you are selling an older home in Oncor’s service area, you can add value to that home by explaining that it has gone through rigorous testing and, as a result, the home has improved comfort and energy efficiency, among other benefits for residents.
How do real estate agents benefit from working with the home performance program?
Energy efficiency has an intrinsic value that benefits your clients. As a real estate agent, you provide your clients objective information about properties. You can also include information on how homes will benefit from energy-efficient improvements through the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program. This will help you build a long-term relationship with your clients because they will view you as a home advisor.
Increase Client Satisfaction
Representing yourself as an educational resource is a valuable service to offer your clients. If your client lives within Oncor’s service area, you can help them find one of our certified contractors and walk them through the entire process. Your clients benefit from a more energy-efficient home, and you benefit from happy clients who are more likely to refer you to friends and family.
Address Client’s Concerns When Purchasing an Older Home
Have you had clients who waver between a new home built with the latest technology and an older home that requires home improvements? This indecisiveness often results from concern for older equipment, higher energy usage, and comfort problems. If the older home is within Oncor’s service area, you can alleviate these concerns by explaining to your client that they can participate in Home Performance with ENERGY STAR after purchase. That way, they can work with you and their contractor to make informed decisions on upgrades that will be the most cost-effective.
Make Older Homes for Sale More Attractive to Homebuyers
Older homes may have charm and style but often lack insulation and air sealing, causing significant comfort problems and high energy usage. If the seller lives within Oncor’s service area, suggest that they consider participating in the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program before putting their home on the market. After the evaluation is completed by the contractor and improvements are made, the homeowner will receive a post-installation analysis and a certificate that shows expected savings on energy use that can be marketed to prospective buyers.
Align Yourself with Emerging Technologies
From high-density cellulose insulation and mastic to high-efficiency equipment, there is a broad range of techniques and technologies used to improve the energy efficiency of a home through the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program. Become informed about these various materials that will affect the way a home uses energy and learn about typical home improvements recommended by participating contactors.