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Introduction
The City of Eugene is exploring opportunities to expand the use of Home Energy Scores to help residents identify cost-saving upgrades that can improve energy efficiency. Inefficient energy use in buildings not only increases expenses, but also threatens health, safety and comfort. It also contributes to emissions associated with climate change.
What is a Home Energy Score?
A Home Energy Score is a tool that can help people understand how their home uses energy and where there are opportunities to save.Similar to a car’s miles per gallon fuel rating, it rates a home based on a variety of energy features, such as insulation, heating and cooling systems, windows, roof and more. The score report provides
Rating of a home’s energy efficiency on a scale of 1-10
Estimated utility bills
Condition of heating systems, water heating, insulation and more
Customized recommendations for energy improvements
Our region faces serious challenges with inefficient energy usage in homes and buildings leading to high energy costs. In Lane County, 34% of households are considered energy-burdened. Poor insulation, inefficient heating systems, and outdated appliances drive up these costs. Inefficient energy use also leads to poor indoor air quality, higher greenhouse gas emissions and greater vulnerability during extreme weather. These issues are especially common in older and rental housing. These conditions make it clear: many homes in our community need energy efficiency improvements, but many residents don't know where to start or what resources are available. Making home energy scores more common and routine is one way to help address this need.
Previous community engagement efforts have reinforced that increasing awareness about energy usage and efficiency improvements is a top priority. City Council has directed staff to explore policy options and present possibly pathways forward. Eugene currently offers a free home energy scores for renters and low-income homeowners through a partnership with EWEB and UO's Home Energy Score Program. Four Oregon cities currently require a home energy score when listing a home for sale, including Portland, Hillsboro, Bend and Milwaukee. Many other cities across the nation and some states have similar policies with varying degrees of regulatory strength and measures.
The City of Eugene is exploring ways to expand the use of home energy scores to help residents better understand energy usage and opportunities for improvement. Through this project, the City will:
Engage residents to understand their priorities and concerns.
Consider possible ways to integrate home energy scores into standard real estate transactions.
Research what other cities have done and identify best practices.
Gather ideas for ways to make policies fair and effective.
Project Timeline
May through October: Research existing policies in other jurisdictions and understand best practices.
July through November: Engage the community to understand priorities and concerns.
Late Fall/Early Winter: Return to City Council to share possible pathways forward.
Introduction
The City of Eugene is exploring opportunities to expand the use of Home Energy Scores to help residents identify cost-saving upgrades that can improve energy efficiency. Inefficient energy use in buildings not only increases expenses, but also threatens health, safety and comfort. It also contributes to emissions associated with climate change.
What is a Home Energy Score?
A Home Energy Score is a tool that can help people understand how their home uses energy and where there are opportunities to save.Similar to a car’s miles per gallon fuel rating, it rates a home based on a variety of energy features, such as insulation, heating and cooling systems, windows, roof and more. The score report provides
Rating of a home’s energy efficiency on a scale of 1-10
Estimated utility bills
Condition of heating systems, water heating, insulation and more
Customized recommendations for energy improvements
Our region faces serious challenges with inefficient energy usage in homes and buildings leading to high energy costs. In Lane County, 34% of households are considered energy-burdened. Poor insulation, inefficient heating systems, and outdated appliances drive up these costs. Inefficient energy use also leads to poor indoor air quality, higher greenhouse gas emissions and greater vulnerability during extreme weather. These issues are especially common in older and rental housing. These conditions make it clear: many homes in our community need energy efficiency improvements, but many residents don't know where to start or what resources are available. Making home energy scores more common and routine is one way to help address this need.
Previous community engagement efforts have reinforced that increasing awareness about energy usage and efficiency improvements is a top priority. City Council has directed staff to explore policy options and present possibly pathways forward. Eugene currently offers a free home energy scores for renters and low-income homeowners through a partnership with EWEB and UO's Home Energy Score Program. Four Oregon cities currently require a home energy score when listing a home for sale, including Portland, Hillsboro, Bend and Milwaukee. Many other cities across the nation and some states have similar policies with varying degrees of regulatory strength and measures.
The City of Eugene is exploring ways to expand the use of home energy scores to help residents better understand energy usage and opportunities for improvement. Through this project, the City will:
Engage residents to understand their priorities and concerns.
Consider possible ways to integrate home energy scores into standard real estate transactions.
Research what other cities have done and identify best practices.
Gather ideas for ways to make policies fair and effective.
Project Timeline
May through October: Research existing policies in other jurisdictions and understand best practices.
July through November: Engage the community to understand priorities and concerns.
Late Fall/Early Winter: Return to City Council to share possible pathways forward.
Many homes in Eugene use more energy than necessary. Using energy more efficiently can reduce energy costs, protect health, improve comfort and help the environment.
A Home Energy Score is a tool that can help people understand how their home uses energy and existing opportunities to reduce energy costs.Like a car’s miles per gallon fuel rating, it rates a home based on a variety of energy features, such as insulation, heating and cooling systems, windows, roofing and more. A Home Energy Score also provides information on energy costs and recommends home improvements. It costs between $130-$300 to get a Home Energy Score. View a sample Home Energy Score report.
The City of Eugene is exploring ways to expand the use of home energy scores to help residents better understand their energy usage and opportunities for improvement. We appreciate you taking 5 minutes to fill out this anonymous survey, which will inform our next steps.
You may enter your contact info at the end of the survey for a drawing to win an air purifier. Your email will not be stored with your answers.
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