Timber framers can attract the growing number of customers looking to build energy efficient homes by promoting the monetary benefits.

Your first step is to understand how your timber frame business meets the guidelines for energy efficient incentives. Federal and State energy programs are available; however state programs can vary in terms of guidelines and rebates. Therefore, the best way to determine the actual “energy value” of your construction technique is to speak with a certified energy rater in your state.

To locate a local energy rater visit the web site: www.natresnet.org.

Raters can offer design and material suggestions that will increase the overall thermal performance of your buildings. After speaking with energy raters, some timber framers may learn that their projects already meet and even exceed state and federal energy standards.  Raters produce certified energy reports which are needed when applying for energy efficient programs, and most importantly, raters provide you with a list of rebates that either you or your customers can be eligible for. 

On the federal level there is a $2,000 tax credit available for builders who construct new energy efficient homes between January 1st – December 31st 2008.  Builders can take a credit of $2,000 per home in the year the home is sold. This incentive is separate from EnergyStar and is based solely on thermal performance.  A homes thermal performance is scored by administering a blower door test which is usually done by the energy rating agency. 

Energy efficient mortgages are also available throughout the country. These programs allow consumers to qualify for larger loans due to overall energy savings.  Again, this program is based on energy rating reports supplied by energy raters.

How you promote this information may depend on the type of construction services you provide. For example, if your firm supplies frame and shell only, you can encourage homeowners to work with an energy rater in order to ensure their home meets EnergyStar standards. On the other hand, companies that build turn-key homes may be eligible to receive both the tax credit and the rebates.  In this case the timber framers can also promote themselves as an EnergyStar builder.

No matter your business model, try incorporating the benefits of energy efficient construction into your sales pitch.  At the very least make certain customers know about the huge reductions in fuel bills they can expect. Depending on building materials, some customers may see a savings of 35-50%.  In today’s market, branding your company as “Energy Efficient” may be even more effective than going “Green.   To many the word Green means “spend more money” while the term Energy Efficient means “lower fuel bills”.

Showcase your company’s commitment to energy efficient building on web pages, literature and ads. Make a point to network with local energy raters and EnergyStar programs. Making it easy for customers to apply for rebates will give you an advantage over other builders.

Lisa Ford is the marketing manager at Foard Panel Inc. of W. Chesterfield NH.  For more information regarding energy efficient promotions contact her at 800-644-8885 or lisa@foardpanel.com.