Residential Energy Efficiency Finance and Mortgages

There are more than 100 million homes totaling hundreds of billions of square feet in the United States. This enormous sector accounts for one-fifth of total U.S. energy consumption and nearly a quarter of the nation's greenhouse gas emissions. 

 

IMT works to advance energy efficiency in the residential sector by overcoming financing barriers in mortgage underwriting, appraisal practices and consumer markets. Energy-efficient homes help reduce household utility costs and decrease exposure to energy price volatility. Yet, relatively few homeowners have tapped into these benefits because of persistent financing barriers. IMT is currently working to reform mortgage underwriting and home appraisal practices to fully account for energy; educate appraisers on energy efficiency valuation; and support innovative financing measures like property-assessed clean energy (PACE) financing. Overcoming financing barriers will result in more energy-efficient homes and less overall energy consumption; lower utility bills for homeowners; mortgage underwriting that is more sound; reduced risk of defaults; and the creation of green jobs in the real estate, home construction and retrofit markets.

 

Average Homeowner Cost Comparison 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRESS AND NEWS COVERAGE

July 27, 2010: The Environmental and Energy Study Institute briefed House legislators on the financial value of energy efficient homes; the presentation included a policy proposal developed in part by IMT that relates mortgage financing to home energy costs. Find out more about the briefing.

 

RESIDENTIAL FINANCE LINKS AND RESOURCES