Thank goodness oil prices pulled back this week, falling as much as $9 a barrel over two days. Consumers needed a break, but that doesn't mean concern about energy prices is going away.

Prices are still double what they were last year, and that means homebuyers are not only looking at their commute times, they're also looking closely at energy efficiency in the homes they buy.

And that's causing a change of behavior in builders. Centex has just announced it will install an energy monitor in every home it builds in the future as part of an energy package that also includes stronger attic insulation, high efficiency HVAC systems, programmable thermostats, low-emission windows, and consumer tips, among other features.

And speaking of behavior, consumers can do more than stop driving as much. They can also manage their own use of energy and reduce consumption by as much as four to 15 percent, says a National Association of Home Builders study. They can buy homes from Entergy Star rated builders, or update with Energy Star-rated appliances. They can live with less air-conditioning and heat, and turn off the lights when they leave the room.

But what about buyers looking at existing homes? One of the questions that a buyer may ask a seller to provide copies of their utility bills, but that may only reflect the family's habits and the cost of their service provider.

A better way to determine the energy efficiency of a home is to conduct a simple inspection of the home they are considering buying.

"There are simple observations they can make without the need for a professional," suggests Jim Steffes, vice president and general manager of Direct Energy.

To spot energy hogs, he suggests, start with the age and condition of the furnace, air conditioner and appliances, as well as the type and orientation of windows.

"An inefficient home can lead to $20 of wasted money due to leakage for every $100 spent on heating and cooling," says Steffes.

If a buyer or seller wants professional advice, they can turn to Home Energy Rated Services (HERS.) Certified technicians can be found online at Resnet.us. They can be hired to check for various issues such as adequate insulation or weather-stripping, two of the leading causes of energy waste, says Steffes.

These are also good solutions for Realtors to tell their clients about.

Published: July 10, 2008

Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.

Blanche Evans is the award-winning senior editor of Realty Times, the Internet's leading independent real estate news service. She is featured daily on the Realty Times Video Network in the "Realty Viewpoint" segment. Blanche has been named one of the "25 Most Influential People In Real Estate" by REALTOR Magazine, and has been twice recognized as a "notable." In 2005, she was named "Top Reporter Covering the NAR" by Delahaye-Bacon's. Blanche is a renowned author of five real estate books. Her newest, Bubbles, Booms and Busts: Make Money In Any Real Estate Market, McGraw-Hill, was rave-reviewed by The New York Times. She was also selected from hundreds of real estate experts to contribute to Donald Trump's book, Trump: The Best Real Estate Advice I Ever Received: 100 Top Experts Share Their Strategies, Rutledge Hill Press, and is featured on page 68. Order Now Review - Honors In 2006, Blanche was selected among scores of candidates to author two consumer real estate guidebooks for the National Association of Realtors: The NAR Guide to Home Buying, and The NAR Guide to Home Selling, Wiley & Sons. She is currently planning two new books for the NAR and its members.       Known for her keen insight into real estate industry issues and for her ability to make complex subjects easy to understand, Blanche is a sought-after keynote and continuing education speaker. Real estate organizations from MLSs, to brokerages, to franchisors, to associations hire her to provide up-to-the-minute analysis of real estate industry news and advice on how to improve revenues. Her passionate delivery, peppered with stinging wit, is a huge hit with audiences and fans. Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors, Blanche Evans, Richard Courtney, president 2007, GRAR "The GNAR membership meeting last week featured Blanche Evans as the keynote speaker. Her comments and insights resonated extremely well with those in attendance and we have had many requests for copies of her PowerPoint Presentation. She was a terrific part of the membership meeting and convention program!" - Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors Coverage from WSMV, Nashville - 8-14-2007 That Interview Guy - Get Inside The Head Of Today's Generation 2007 AE Institute Session - To purchase 2006 AE Institute Session - Parts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 HouseValues Mastermind call - Parts 1 2 Blanche's fireside chat with Jeremy Conaway, HAR - Click here. To contact Blanche, email her at . For more articles by Blanche, click here.