Buildings that have been awarded the Energy Star provide superior performance in terms of the efficiency with which they consume energy and electricity, when compared to non-Energy Star Certified buildings.

Energy Star certified buildings also provide increased cash flow and superior market competitiveness, relative to non-Energy Star buildings. Indeed, the National Consensus on Green Building Investment Underwriting Standards, by the Capital Markets Partnership, indicates that Energy Star certification on the whole may provide a more tangible, positive impact on the valuation of the asset than, say, LEED certification.

The Green Building Underwriting Standard (the "Standard") values the Energy Star rating higher than a LEED rating in its "CMP Green Value Score" which is expected to be used in the professional underwriting of commercial real estate transactions. According to the Standard, LEED Certification provides a more intangible benefit in the form of market goodwill and increased brand value.

The creators of the Standard hope that, as green building becomes more widely accepted and common, use of the Standard will be as routine as a Phase I or Property Condition Assessment ("PCA").

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