This year’s version of the annual Louisville Homearama showcase of new home designs and ideas provided examples of new home features, such as elevators, wine tasting rooms and dog washing stations, along with far more practical home attributes intended to increase a home’s energy efficiency. The Courier-Journal said that twelve of the thirteen entries in the Homearama show will receive the federal government’s Energy Star rating and eight targeted the more stringent designation of Green Build Kentucky. Homebuilders say that increased awareness and focus on decreasing energy use around the house is reflected at all price levels of Kentucky’s homebuilding industry. They say the shift in consumer demand along with federal tax credits for energy-saving windows, insulation and kitchen appliances is having a real impact on home construction and design. Bob Weiss, executive vice president of the Home Builders Association of Kentucky said, “As we start educating our members, we’ll see a lot more homes getting into it. The builders are starting to see this can be a marketing tool.” Since the Green Build Kentucky program launched in April 2008, the program has experienced a slow start, but organizers say that the program has really started to take off in recent months despite the slow economy and Kentucky’s history of relatively low utility costs. Homebuyers are responding positively to single-family homes with the Energy Star label and the state’s share of Energy Star homes jumped from just 7 percent in 2007 to 25 percent in 2008. If you’re selling a Louisville Energy Star home or thinking about buying an energy-efficient home in the Louisville area to save money on utilities, fill out a contact form or call Louisville Properties at 502.744.9504 today.