Mandatory Energy Audits at Point of Sale

As part of Mayor Will Wynn's climate protection plan, The City of Austin will require sellers to get mandatory energy audits of their homes. They must disclose the results to prospective buyers. The energy audit will cost no more than $300. Originally, it was proposed that there would be required energy upgrades completed within a year of the sale. The task force set to examine the issue instead recommended voluntary upgrades in order to take the financial burden off of sellers and buyers. They hope homeowners will see the benefits and potential reduction in energy bills and make upgrades voluntarily. The specific items that will be addressed are not outlined yet and this still has to go through final approval. They will likely be looking at the HVAC system, ducts, insulation, windows, appliances, etc. If not enough people are making voluntarily upgrades, the program will be reviewed in a couple years and there is a chance upgrades could become mandatory. Mandatory energy audits are supposed to begin in January 2009.

Austin Energy does provide many rebates on energy efficiency upgrades that anyone in the service area can take advantage of. If you or anyone you know may be selling their home in the next couple years, they may want to keep this in mind and start making upgrades to their homes now or at least be aware of potential costs. Savvy buyers will be able to compare homes energy efficiency when shopping and may ask for these upgrades in addition to other repairs.

Please see the link below for information on rebates available through Austin Energy:
https://www.austinenergy.com/Energy%20Efficiency/Programs/Rebates/index.htm

I have also included a link to an article in the statesman for more details:
Voluntary home energy upgrades get the nod
Task force nixes mandatory updates by homeowners trying to sell; council to consider ordinance later this fall