Energy Efficiency Ordinance Overview
With the passage of the Climate Protection Plan in February 2007, the City of Austin and Austin Energy began addressing issues involving energy efficiency. To alleviate the pressure of growing demand from Austin Energy’s service area, the City of Austin intended to mandate energy efficiency upgrades at the time a home was sold. In response, the Austin Board of REALTORS® worked to address private property rights and homeowner affordability issues surrounding proposed mandates at the point of sale. The timeline on the following page documents the series of events leading to the 2009 Energy Efficiency Ordinance.
Quick Facts on the Energy Efficiency Ordinance
What is required under the new ordinance?
Homeowners selling their homes in Austin will be required to obtain an energy audit and to disclose the findings of that audit as part of their regular seller’s disclosure notice.
Who does this affect?
Homeowners with properties that lie within the Austin city limits and are serviced by Austin Energy are affected by the ordinance.
Who will conduct the audits?
Energy audits will be conducted by professionals who have been certified by either the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) or the Building Performance Institute and who are registered with Austin Energy as approved con- tractors for this program. We anticipate that a list of registered professionals will be posted on the Austin Energy Web site, www.austinenergy.com, by mid-April.
When does the audit need to be completed?
The energy audit is required as a part of the seller’s disclosure, so it must be completed before the home sale closes. Austin Energy and ABoR encourage homeowners seeking to increase their energy efficiency and save money on the high cost of utility bills to have an energy efficiency audit conducted before thinking of selling their homes. Early audits may help homeowners identify possible areas of improvement and could help prevent last minute scrambles should a homeowner decide to sell his property at a later date.
How long do the audits last?
Each energy efficiency audit will be good for 10 years under the current ordinance rule.
Are there any exemptions?
Yes, several. Properties in foreclosure or pre-foreclosure, properties subject to eminent domain, transactions between family members and properties under court order, in probate proceedings or under decree of legal separation or dissolution of marriage are all exempt. In addition, properties that are fewer than 10 years old, manufactured homes designed for use without a permanent foundation and properties owned by participants in designated Austin Energy Electric Utility pro- grams or buyers who agree in writing to participate in these programs within six months are also exempt.
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