6 Key Things to Know About the Mandatory Home Energy Score
The 90s are back – at least as far as your homeās carbon footprint is concerned. By 2050, Portland wants to slashĀ the cityās carbon emissions toĀ 80 percent below 1990 levels. To help reach that goal, all Portland homesĀ going for sale will need toĀ obtainĀ a Home Energy Score beginning Jan. 1, 2018. You might be asking yourself: what is a Home Energy Score?Ā How much does it cost and how do I get one? More importantly, how do I get aĀ goodĀ one? Well, I wasnāt the winner ofĀ Natural Awakenings Magazine’s 2012 Favorite Green Realtor Award for nothingāgreen is my personal and professional passion. I can helpĀ you navigate this new sale requirement, increase your homes resale value,Ā shrink your homeās carbon footprint which will raise your Home Energy Score, andĀ oh yeah,Ā helpĀ youĀ save the planet, too.Ā
Here are six real ways toĀ start saving the planet, by starting at home:Ā Ā
1. Brass tacks. Startling fact: the number one source of carbon emissions around the globe is buildings. Thatās one reason the City of Portland drafted its Home Energy Score program. For any home sold after Jan.1, 2018, youāll need to hire a Home Energy Assessment contractor prior to listing. Theyāll rate your homeās sources of energy: electricity, natural gas, propane, steam, heating oil, wood…any product whose purpose is to make your home comfortable. To get started with finding a contractor, clickĀ hereĀ orĀ here.
2. Details.Ā What is aĀ Home Energy Score and how much will it cost?Ā The energy score includes an energy use estimate based on the regionās average use and behavior. It also predicts the homeās expected score if recommended improvements are completed.Ā Essentially, it positions the most energy efficient homes as the most attractive homes.Ā The cost to obtain a score is estimated to be between $200-$300.Ā Your home energy performance score — based on a scale from 1 (least efficient) to 10 (most efficient) — estimates your homeās energy use and cost and creates recommendations about energy efficiency improvements. If your score sits at a 3, how can you bump it to, say,Ā aĀ 7?
3. Let me count the ways. A few key upgrades will raise your score (ideally with cash incentives attached).Ā These professionalsĀ are a terrific place to start. Keep all documents from your contractors after they complete their work; youāll have the greenest folder in town.Ā Ā Insulate your homeās walls and attic and make sure there are no gaps in your insulation. Also, seal ducting in all crawlspaces.Ā āÆPartially finished spaces with heat sources (like basements) will be counted as living square footage and could haveĀ aĀ (negative) impact on your score.Ā * āÆClean and service your heater.Ā * Consider addingĀ solar panelsĀ to your roof. Need convincing? Check this stat: According toĀ one solar-panel company, theĀ average solar power system offsets 178 tons of carbon dioxide over 30 years. Thatās like avoiding 390,300 miles driven, planting 10 football fields full of trees, or eliminating 174,907 pounds of burned coal.Ā
4. Bottom line. Your updates can be completedĀ on a budgetĀ and helpĀ boost the saleĀ of your homeĀ byĀ a significant amount,Ā whether 1970s ranch, 1890s Victorian, up-to-the-minute contemporary, or anything in between. Portland has always been at the forefront of energy efficiency and greening your home isĀ notĀ a passing fad. Itās something that is only going to grow in importance in the housing market, just as it has become the go-to standard for the hippest and most successful commercial buildingsĀ around the globe.Ā Change has to start at the construction phase if weāre going to save the planet, but ourĀ desire to love and preserveĀ old homes requires us to makeĀ improvementsĀ Ā toĀ older homesĀ that are not very easy to identify without someĀ clear and quantifiableĀ information from a professional ā which is what theĀ Home Energy Score is all about!Ā No more guessingĀ on energy expenses.Ā Consumers will now know what to do to help their houses perform.Ā Next time youāre a buyer, youāll be happy about this, I promise.
5. A little paperwork. Youāve completed your audit and have a home energy score,Ā goodĀ for you! (Way to avoid thoseĀ nasty fines!) Now what? Give copies of your documents toĀ a host of people, including your real estate agentĀ (thatās ME!), andĀ IāllĀ make a check-point copy for prospective buyers to see when they are viewing your home.
6. Pleasure reading. If youāre like me and prefer a deeper dive into your cityās new legislation, the Home Energy Score program,Ā ever-greenerĀ ideas, and more, let the city speak for itself withĀ this comprehensive report.Ā
More questions? Iām here toĀ take thisĀ generalĀ information and help you apply it to your specific situation.Ā Reach out any timeĀ and share this brand new information with yourĀ home ownerĀ friends!Ā Ā