Title
Consideration of a Regional Home Energy Assessment and Disclosure Policy Recommendation
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to forward the proposed model ordinance recommendation for a regional Home Energy Assessment and Disclosure Policy recommendation to City Council for consideration.
Report
Issue:
Whether to move to forward the proposed model ordinance recommendation for a regional Home Energy Assessment and Disclosure Policy to City Council for consideration.
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 10 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 on...
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