Demand has been high for a free and accredited Sustainability Training for Accredited Real Estate Professionals (S.T.A.R.) course. Offered in partnership with RePower Kitsap, EERE’s Better Buildings Initiative, the Washington State University Energy Program, and Conservation Services Group, the S.T.A.R. course prepares real estate professionals to market and sell new and remodeled “green” homes. After taking the two-day course, which includes visits to two energy-efficient homes, real estate professionals can identify which features and building products provide greater energy and water efficiency and create a healthier living environment for their clients. Based on the high level of interest expressed by Realtors in Kitsap County, an additional class was scheduled—which filled up in just a few hours.

Kitsap County is a community of approximately 100,000 households that are a ferry ride across Puget Sound from Seattle. RePower Kitsap, which kicked off in summer 2011, is the product of a partnership between the Washington's Department of Commerce Energy Office and Washington State University's Energy Program. Together, these agencies have designed and implemented a program to build an energy retrofit business community within Kitsap County. Early attempts to deliver the Sustainability training in Kitsap County were unsuccessful due to low attendance, but the S.T.A.R. course was nudged into the spotlight in 2013 by the Kitsap County Association of Realtors (KCAR). RePower cultivated a partnership with KCAR, which began promoting the S.T.A.R. course to their membership.

Additionally, Kitsap County has provided formal interest and approval in becoming the RePower program host, post-EERE funding and will be integrated into a state network of community-based energy-efficiency programs. A comprehensive training plan has been developed for these programs for delivery in 2014–2015 and includes training targeting real estate professionals, appraisers, and home inspectors in other locations around the State of Washington.

Positive Impact

Washington realtors line up to attend the Sustainability Training for Accredited Real Estate Professionals (S.T.A.R.) offered in Kitsap County by Earth Advantage Institute through the EERE RePower program.

Location

Kitsap County, Washington

Partners

RePower Kitsap, Washington State University Energy Program, Earth Advantage Institute, Conservation Services Group

EERE Investment

$2.6 million

Clean Energy Sector

Energy-saving homes, buildings, and manufacturing

The Building Technologies Office leads a vast network of research and industry partners to continually develop innovative, cost-effective energy saving solutions—better products, better new homes, better ways to improve older homes, and better buildings in which we work, shop, and lead our everyday lives.

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) success stories highlight the positive impact of its work with businesses, industry partners, universities, research labs, and other entities.