B1.2 Residential energy audits *
Develop and adopt policies that require residential properties to undertake an energy audit at the time of sale or during a substantial remodel. Work with financial institutions to develop mortgage products that incorporate audited energy efficiency recommendations.
In July 2020, PSE ended the free residential home energy assessments it had offered as part of its required investments in energy efficiency. It said the pandemic meant it was “unable to deliver in-home services safely at a reasonable cost at this time,” and had “no plans to restart the program anytime soon”, but would “consider how in-home services might be designed cost-effectively in the future”.
Portland requires sellers to obtain and disclose a DOE Home Energy Score and Report by a authorized assessor who “performs the on-site assessment and collects more than 70 pieces of information about the home’s envelope (i.e., foundation, insulation, walls, windows) as well as its heating, cooling and hot water systems.” There’s a Home Energy Report “estimating the energy-related use, associated costs, and cost-effective solutions to improve the home’s efficiency,” and including local utility prices and energy green house gas content. A documents page includes links to the ordinance and a report on the program.
Austin requires disclosure of an energy audit before the sale of single family residences, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes over ten years old, and requires an energy audit of larger multi-family property every ten years.
Berkeley requires energy audits at the time of sale for houses and other residential buildings under 25,000 feet (unless one has already been done) and when extensive remodeling occurs. (They’re also required on a phased schedule for multi-family and commercial buildings.) If an audit identifies energy efficiency measures required to meet the ordinance’s standards, the homeowner must bring the home into compliance within one year. (In a report about possible ways to provide rebates for these, staff estimated the required audits cost roughly $200, and that a deeper audit including a building-specific energy plan that identifies locations for insulation and weather sealing improvements, recommends specific equipment and prioritizes expenses would cost roughly $700.)
EfficiencyVermont provides home owners with support for a guided home energy assessment over the phone.