Mandatory City of Austin Energy Audits are Coming
by Goodlife on March 16, 2009
Do you live in the City of Austin? Will you be selling your Austin home after June 1st of this year? Or, Do you plan to buy a home in Austin after June 1st?If you said “yes”…keep reading.Effective June 1st, 2009 the City of Austin’s
Ordinance No. 20081106-047 requires all sellers of non-exempt residential, multi-family and commercial properties within Austin city limits to complete an energy audit and disclose the findings of the audit report to prospective homebuyers prior to the sale. The energy audits will have to be performed by certified Building Home Performance Analysts approved by Austin Energy and should cost approximately $200-$400.
What is the purpose of this energy audit? The city wants to encourage Austin homeowners to voluntarily participate in energy efficiency programs through Austin Energy. “The goals of this program are to lower energy consumption by driving the market towards demanding higher standards of home energy efficiency. Reduced demand for electricity will benefit us all in the following ways; lower monthly bills; lower taxes because the City will not have to construct additional power plants and better air quality due to reduced CO2 emissions” says Susan Marler, founder of
Energy Action.
What does this mean to you? Are you a Seller or a Buyer? Sellers: This means that the cost of selling Austin homes after June 1st, 2009 will increase. You may also have a harder time selling your home if your energy audit report is unsatisfactory to prospective Buyers. The good news is that you will have a greater understanding of your home’s level of energy efficiency and you’ll be participating in a collective effort to lower Austin’s energy usage, create green jobs, and take better care of our environment.Buyers: This means that after June 1st, 2009 the seller(s) of a non-exempt property within the city of Austin will be required to complete a mandatory energy audit and disclose the findings of that report to you prior to closing. This will offer you a better understanding of the home’s energy efficiency so that you can make a more informed buying decision.
Next steps?- Take action now before your home gets audited and improve your home’s energy efficiency for better audit results. For example, air seal and insulate your home, improve your heating and cooling efficiency, and when replacing appliances choose energy star appliances.
- Participate in one of Austin Energy’s designated utility programs and you may be exempt from the mandatory audit.
- Call The GoodLife Team today and get your home sold before June 1st.
- Contact Energy Action today for more information or to schedule your energy audit online. They give 25% of their annual profits to local charities.
- Post your questions below.
Who is exempt from POS energy audits and disclosure, you ask?- Austin properties in foreclosure or pre-foreclosure.
- Austin properties subject to eminent domain.
- Austin properties involved in transactions between family members and properties under court order, in probate proceedings or under decree of legal separation or dissolution of marriage.
- Austin properties that are less than 10 years old.
- Austin manufactured homes designed for use without a permanent foundation.
- Austin properties owned by participants in designated Austin Energy Electric Utility programs or buyers who agree in writing to participate in these programs within six months.
*Special thanks to
Susan Marler of Energy Action for her help in producing this piece.
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