I'm all for environmentally friendly practices and I've written for a few years now about various ways to help improve the energy efficiency of homes that are not new construction as well as highlighting programs that utility companies offer for these kinds of home improvements. In a meeting I was in this week at the Bellevue office of the Seattle-King County Association of Realtors, there was discussion regarding Seattle's plan to make a potential mandatory requirement of energy audits on home owners when they sell their home. Concerns were raised that these audits would be required at the point of sale of a home and that if a home didn't pass some currently unknown acceptable level it could cancel a sale.
Hmmmmm.... let's see... is this a good idea?
It all stems from a greater common goal of reducing human carbon emissions in commercial and residential buildings which are the largest source of releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Seattle is trying to lead the way nationally and as part of its plans has put together the Green Building Task Force. You can read more about the program at this link.
What I'd like to know is whether this will remain a choice by homeowners, to have the energy performance scoring, or if the city will force sellers to not only be tested, then advertise in property listings what their rating is, but to also then make changes that will upgrade properties as part of a sale. Some are hypothesizing that this will happen. I think there'd be too much lashback to have that happen, but you never know. I'm also of the mind that those that are for the preservation of historic style homes will also weigh in on the potentially devastating aesthetic effect that forced upgrades might create in some of our most charming parts of the city where early 1900's homes exist.
I've already offered to be a test case and to be on the pilot program that would include local real estate agents. In fact, I actually suggested that they not only ask agents to offer these tests to their clients but to also be a recipient of one of the audits personally to better understand the program and results. Leading by example is a big thing for me and it only make sense given the line of work. Plus, I'm also wondering if items outside the house will be part of the overall scoring process. What is you recapture rain from roofs and decks in rain barrels? Organic gardening?
What do you think of the ideas presented?
I think most people will be shocked when they get their homes tested ! I love watching the blower door test & thermal imaging camera readings ! I think it should be voluntary , as older homes can't easily be brought up to modern Energy Standards , but they can certainly be improved ! Keepin' it Green !
Hi Reba, They have considered this in Texas as well. Overall I think it's a good idea. But there will end up being some homes that fail miserably and then everyone will know it.
I think what will happen down here is that the HERS Rating will be required as an MLS input field but not required to fill it in yet. We'll see. There are some amazing changes going on.
Would love to hear how it goes if you get to be a tester.
Reba,
I'm a former HPS for Idaho (ID, WA, OR, MT are all part of the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance). While I think it would be very interesting to go down this road, I don't think it will help sales especially for older homes.
Most older homes will perform poorly even after retrofitting. There's just so much that can be done with the existing frame of the home and costs can be very high for some of the upgrades.
Requiring it on new homes would be an advantageous idea as it would encourage better building practices.
I believe it is time to sacrifice and make the changes. I am a huge advocate and lover of older homes, I live in an 1870's home, but I am finding more and more that these homes were built better and alot of them werebuilt with passive solar benefits and other natural benefits since there was no electricity and it took alot more personal energy to get things done, the time period had a simpler way of life. So some of them wouldn't take much to upgrade to meet the standards, I think it would be more of removing the "udates" from the 1950-80s and getting back to basics. Luckily, My old home is strudy and intact, needs some insulation help and newer energy saving appliances, other than that, the cost is more in the behavior changes than it is in the materials to make it happen. Not to mention, the creation of the materials and the installation of them could create more jobs. I am hopeful that the corporations invovled will set the first example by making their facories as green as possible in the process, we will see.... but it will never happen if we are left with the choice, too many people dont care and will have to be "forced" into making the changes with legislation like what you in WA and us in OR are seeing right now.... I also just blogged about this:
http://activerain.com/blogsview/933816/The-Time-is-NOW-Stop-Greenhouse-Gases
I think the pioneers were on to something and with our technology and further expereince, we should look back to that time for helpful hints on a way that works!
I will reblog yours as well. Thanks for your advocacy and support for a better tomorrow!