Appraisers Stifling Green Innovations, Builders Charge

Appraisers are being blamed for holding up the acceptance of so-called "green" building product innovations, several industry executives charged at the National Association of Home Builders' annual convention in Las Vegas. Technologies such as energy sharing, sleep functions for appliances, clothes dryers which use 20% less energy, ranges that self-clean with steam rather than three-hour bursts of 600 degree heat, recycled grey water from showers that is filtered for use in a washing machine are on the drawing boards of Whirlpool and other manufacturers. But product makers and the builders they serve have been slow to move the advancements forward because appraisers aren't valuing them as any better than conventional appliances. "Appraisers are out to lunch on this," said Orlando-based housing industry consultant William Nolan. "We're having a huge fight. Until we can get the values recognized, builders can't justify coming to market with products that can save the world." The appraisal issue is one reason Europe is far more advanced that the United States when it comes to green products, said Whirlpool's Ed Linder. "Appraisers don't understand the value of sustainability."