But more to the point, he added, "It is the way of the future."

Machan (his name is pronounced May'chen), who drives a Mini Cooper to work and has been in the real estate business for about a year, recently earned his "green" agent certification from EcoBroker, a Colorado-based organization. For more information visit www.ecobroker.com.

A relative newcomer to the real estate trade, Machan said he needed more tools to help him correctly value and market the green features in the homes he was working with, so he completed the distance courses in about six months.

"A well-built home with green technology is more comfortable and more efficient," he pointed out. "I think that is a wonderful thing and I think my clients will agree."

Surveys done within the past year bear out Machan's instincts. The general population is concerned about the environment and energy: many are prepared to pay a little more for green design and elements, like high-efficiency furnaces, windows and natural gas fireplaces.

A family man, who has lived in Oakville for more than a decade with his wife Laura and son Jacob, Machan came to real estate after a short career in advertising and marketing. He says he is comfortable in sales, enjoys "building relationships," and the real estate business seemed a natural fit, given his interest in architecture and community development.

Currently he is also the chief executive for the Oakville riding of the Green Party of Canada.

In conversation, the Appleby College and University of Toronto graduate takes positive thinking to a new level. He sees the many changes evolving to create a greener, more sustainable lifestyle as inevitable and beneficial.

In his own house he has installed a "hot water on-demand system" which is saving significant dollars annually on his hydro bill. He is also in the process of installing a geothermal (ground water) heating/cooling system which, though expensive to install (about $34,000 for which the government is offering a grant of $8,000), will pay for itself within a few years because of reduced energy costs.

When Machan began his course with EcoBroker in January of this year, he first searched unsuccessfully for an equivalent program in Canada.

Since then, he says, the National Association of Green Agents and Brokers (www.nagab.org) has come through with an educational program for real estate agents to raise awareness and skills in energy and environmental issues. That Association now claims 15,000 affiliate members in Canada.

There is no surprise here, said Machan, because by necessity all real estate professionals must become more aware.

"Of course, these courses do not make us green architects or builders or energy raters," he allows, "but it can help us to look at a house from a particular perspective.

"Oakville residents do have a high level of consciousness," the real estate agent maintained. "There is great wealth here and I think people want to do the right thing. As a society we want to do better. We are willing and able. We just need well-informed guidance.

"I'm excited about what is going to happen," Machan enthused. "I envision a far better world for our grandkids. I think the future will be a dynamic place to live, a more comfortable world, a healthier world."

But so much for rhetoric: "The first thing to do is get an energy audit on your house," he advised. "This will help to quantify the energy savings available."

Nolan Machan works for Royal LePage Real Estate, 326 Lakeshore Rd. E. Call 905-845-4267.