WESTAR ENERGY HELPING REAL ESTATE AGENTS GO GREEN

Energy Efficiency department offers green certification program for real estate agents.

On June 4 in Wichita and June 11 in Topeka, Westar Energy’s EfficiencyWorks will launch a new program for real estate agents to learn more about “green” real estate. The program provides agents a more detailed understanding of what constitutes an energy efficient home and how to market its benefits. They will learn what to look for when building or selling an existing residential property in terms of its energy efficiency.

“The more understanding they have about how insulation, windows, building materials and
heating and cooling equipment affect a home’s energy use, the better they will be able to serve
their efficiency-minded clients,” said Sherii Farmer, account manager, consumer services. “More
people are paying attention to the energy efficient qualities needed in a home. The benefits to
buying green include a healthier home, lower energy bills and the knowledge that you’re
benefiting the environment.”

Ninety-one percent of people buying a home today say they favor an energy efficient home
over one that doesn’t have energy efficient features and is two to three percent cheaper, according
to the National Home Builders Association Consumer Preference Survey.

Real estate agents, recognizing that there is a increasing market for “green" real estate, are
taking courses to learn more about home building and remodeling that increase energy efficiency,
indoor air quality, water efficiency and are gaining credentials as certified green agents.
The certification course will be offered on a quarterly basis in both Wichita and Topeka.
By completing the course, real estate agents receive four continuing education units (CEU) for
renewing their licensing requirements. The cost for the course is $55 and registration forms are
available on the Westar Energy Web site under Energy Efficiency or by calling 1.888.WORKS.50.
Other course dates are September 10 and December 3 in Wichita and September 3 and December
10 in Topeka.

“We are really excited to offer this opportunity for real estate agents. It’s another audience
we can provide our energy efficiency message to, and they gain additional experience to benefit
them in their career,” said Farmer.