Title
Home Energy Assessment and Disclosure Policy Update
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The Land Use and Environment Committee recommend the City Council review and discuss the proposed ordinance for a regional Home Energy Assessment and Disclosure Policy.
City Manager Recommendation:
Whether to review and discuss the proposed ordinance for a regional Home Energy Assessment and Disclosure Policy.
Report
Issue:
Review and discuss the proposed ordinance for a regional Home Energy Assessment and Disclosure Policy.
Staff Contact:
Jaron Burke, Climate Program Specialist, City Manager's Office, 360.753.8429
Presenter(s):
Jaron Burke, Climate Program Specialist
Pamela Braff, PhD, Director of Climate Programs
Background and Analysis:
Residential Energy Performance Rating and Disclosure Ordinance
The Residential Energy Performance Rating and Disclosure Ordinance, also referred to as the Home Energy Score (HES) Ordinance, is an education and outreach tool intended to help prospective homebuyers consider the full cost of home ownership, including energy costs, and identify (but not require) ways to increase the energy efficiency of the home. This policy requires that a HES is completed and disclosed as part of the real estate listing for subject buildings.
While the proposed HES Ordinance does not require energy-efficiency improvements, the HES report produced by a HES assessment provides information on cost-effective improvements and the available federal, state, utility, and local rebates, incentives, and financing options to facilitate those improvements. This information has proven to be effective in encouraging homeowners to make energy efficiency upgrades.
A 2024 analysis of nearby City of Portland's HES Ordinance found that households with a HES in Portland are ten times more likely to receive an energy efficiency upgrade than homes without a HES in Portland. 8.8% of HES recipient households in Portland pursued at least one energy effic...
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