Energy-efficient buildings can provide substantial economic returns to owners, developers, and tenants. Besides lower energy bills, additional benefits from improved occupant comfort, worker productivity, tenant retention, and property valuation can improve the financial performance of the project well beyond the basic energy cost savings. Yet, financial decisions on energy improvements are often made using "simple payback" calculations that generally undervalue the true benefits of energy efficient building design.

This seminar is designed to provide building owners, operators, and designers up-to-date information on financing and marketing energy efficient buildings. Topics covered include:

• Barriers to energy-efficient design Return on investment vs. simple payback analysis
• Energy eVALUator software
• Developer economics: improving property value while lowering up-front investment costs
• Economics of productivity
• Competitiveness and marketability of energy-efficient buildings
• Sharing the rewards: leasing strategies that benefit owners and tenants
• Designer and owner incentives available from Savings By Design
• Case studies