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Elizabeth Cutright Elizabeth Cutright Distributed Energy Editor

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DE Editor's Blog

May 26th, 2009 9:56am PST

Energy Audits

Posted By Elizabeth Cutright 1 Comment

On average, some homes in Austin, TX waste up to 50% of the energy delivered by the local power utility, in part because many of these 20–30-year-old homes have had little or no energy improvements. In the past, Austin has done a lot to increase energy efficiency, including 0% loans for upgrades and policies aimed at encouraging renewable energy on a residential and commercial level.  As a result of these efforts, Austin has seen a significant improvement: more than 23,000 residential customers have upgraded their homes, resulting in a reduction of energy use by 38 million kWh and a total savings of $3 million.  

But Austin is not resting on its laurels. Starting next week, home sellers will be required to conduct an energy audit on any homes listed for sale, and the results of those audits must be made available to potential homebuyers. Considered by city officials as nothing more than an added “home inspection,” the audits—which will costs between $200–300 for an 1,800 square foot home—are considered an added tool for homebuyers trying to determine exactly how much house they can afford. The ordinance will go into effect June 1, and includes separate provisions for commercial and multifamily properties. The audits must be performed by individuals certified by the Building Performance Institute and must cover every thing from insulation to HVAC systems. Mayor Will Wynn included the audit ordinance as part of an overall energy initiative for Austin that aims to shrink demand, minimize the need for new power plants, and reduce the city’s carbon footprint. 

The hope is that these audits will help Austin lower residential energy consumption, but those in the real estate industry fear that the added burden will further hinder an already decimated housing market. Additionally, the lack of incentives or rebates and the shifting of the cost of upgrades to the seller rather than the buyer have generated some resistance to the ordinance. 

So what do you think? Are energy audits an effective way to encourage energy efficiency? Or will government-mandated audits hinder economic recovery in areas already struggling with a severely devalued housing market? 

For more information, go to www.austinenergy.com

What Do You Think?

Post a Comment

austinaudits

August 26th, 2009 9:22 PM PT

Important that Austinited know that the city wants to reduce demand by informing buyers of inefficiencies that the city offers rebates for. Visit www.austinauditors.com to learn more about rebates, the ECAD ordinance, and home energy efficiency.

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