1. Who Benefits? Building Owners
Energy efficiency investments lower operating costs.
Increasing Net Operating Income
= A More Valuable Asset
Multiple studies document energy efficient buildings add value.
A Costar study found rental rates in Energy Star buildings represent a $2.40 per square foot premium over comparable non-Energy Star buildings and have 3.6 percent higher occupancy. Energy Star buildings are selling for an average of $61 per square foot more than their peers
Studies by CoStar verify this.

2. Case in Point: Denver Metro Chamber
$280,000 EE Premium
$ 40,000 Annual Savings
7 year Simple Payback
$424,000 Building Value Increase
(NPV of $40,000 in increased operating
=80
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce:
When completing a mechanical retrofit they paid $280,000 over the cost of standard equipment for efficient equipment.
The projected utility savings in electricity and gas is $40,000 annually, resulting in payback of the additional cost of energy efficient equipment over standard equipment of 7 years.
Reduced utility costs increase the building’s net operating income by $40,000.
The net present value of this increased operating income is $424,000, assuming a 7% discount rate, resulting in the building’s value increasing by an estimated $424,000.
Source: DMCC Case Study