Episode 437: Energy Efficiency in Chicago Real Estate with Joe Konopacki

Mar 5, 2026

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Joe Konopacki, Founder and CEO of Insight Property Services, is a seasoned home inspector with various professional certifications on Building Performance and Efficiency!

Joe starts with a story on acquiring a mixed-use building to establish his business and invest simultaneously! He breaks down his background of growing up in a real estate family and transitioning into the business. Joe gets granular on causes for building inefficiencies and means for improving building performance. He explains top considerations for heating system options and closes out with some wild inspection stories!

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Guest: Joe Konopacki, Insight Property Services

Link: Joe's LinkedIn

Link: Modern Wisdom (Podcast Recommendation)

Link: The E-Myth Revisited (Book Recommendation)

Guest Questions:

02:24 Housing Provider Tip - Understand the benefits of lease agreements over month-to-month agreements!

04:15 Intro to our guest, Joe Konopacki!

10:16 Advantages of mixed-use buildings.

12:02 Growing up in a real estate family and transitioning into the business.

23:03 Easiest ways to improve building efficiency.

31:12 Understanding the efficiency of boilers!

43:05 Considerations for electric heating systems.

52:03 Cost analysis of switching from boilers to central HVAC!

60:27 Incentive opportunities for solar energy systems.

67:13 Wild inspection stories!

71:37 What is your competitive advantage?

73:27 One piece of advice for new investors.

73:38 What do you do for fun?

73:54 Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend?

74:40 Local Network Recommendation?

75:12 How can the listeners learn more about you and provide value to you?

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Production House: Flint Stone Media