In my business, (custom building) green sells! All of my customers/prospects are wanting green homes, or at least as green as their budgets will allow.
For example: we'll be starting a 9000' home for the owner of a very well known Dallas business. We had the energy audit run on the plans per state energy codes. Came in at an average of $642/month to heat/cool the home. This does not include normal activities such as TV, appliances, lights, etc. Just to heat and cool the home, averaged over a year.
With the types of materials and methods we use to build, we had the energy audit run again. This time it came back at an average of $175/month! And that was without any additional solar equipment on the house.
When we add that, we're execting to drop another 25-35% off that number.
I know this works for new construction. What I'm curious about is does "green" sell any of your listings? Have you even had a green home to sell? Has anyone ever sold a house made with Insulated Concrete Forms, Structural Insulated Panels, Therma-steel blocks, steel frame, sticks and foam, total envelop encapsulation?
Most of the folks who build these have told me their next residence will be 6' under. So are these type of homes even coming up for sale?
And for the appraisers among us, have you ever appraised a house with alternative power generating equipment installed. How did that appraise out? A couple of the appraisal sites I've visited has you guys scratching your heads.
Need green advice? I'm your goto guy. I've built it all with LOTS more coming.
Mike Michaud, Custom Homes AT COST! by North Texas Help-U-Build, part of the Preferred Builders Network of Texas
Mike Michaud,
Builder of zero-energy homes Texas and Oklahoma - 
Custom homes AT COST! ™ part of
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I think the costs are coming down so fast and the technology is improving so quickly that a lot of people have a hard time justifying the expense. Appraisers are caught in the middle because like other technology, how do you value "green technology" that reduces costs when it improves and decreases in value every 12 months! Look at the rate of return on a kitchen and the technology & costs is fairly stable.... It's just not worth what you put in it as far as resale.
On new construction how do you value it at a price greater than the cost of savings on a monthly basis amortized of 10 years(if you're to give it the life of other commercial equipment)?
I think striking the right balance of cost, energy savings and any available tax credits is going to be the key to valuation and feasability for most homeowners.