But what if there was a government incentive to make energy improvements that would make a significant dent in your mortgage payment along with that less-detectible cut in your utility bill? Would you then make those improvements? What if the government bought down your mortgage at a proportion relative to the level of energy improvements made on your house? Would that make you get up on a ladder and caulk around a window,or  buy a new air conditioning system? You’d certainly be more likely to.

Sounds like an economic stimulus plan (of sorts), one that is the central theme of the Architecture 2030 Challenge Stimulus Plan.  From their press release:

“ The mortgage buy-down would allow a homeowner to reduce their mortgage rate if they renovate and improve the energy efficiency of their home to meet one of the 2030 Challenge targets.”

The Challenge Stimulus Plan is sponsored by Architecture 2030, a  nonprofit research organization supported by organizations such as the US Conference of Mayors (USCM), Department of Energy (DOE), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), US Green Building Council (USGBC), American Institute of Architects (AIA), American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).