Home Energy Score Policy
Introduction
Many homes in our region suffer from poor insulation, outdated appliances, and inefficient heating systems—factors that drive up energy costs, degrade indoor air quality, and increase greenhouse gas emissions. A Home Energy Score offers clear and customized information about a home's energy performance, helping residents identify upgrades that can lower costs and promote more efficient energy use. The City of Eugene is exploring a policy that would require disclosure of a Home Energy Score when a home is listed for sale, similar to policies in many other cities including Bend, Hillsboro, Portland, and Milwaukie. This aims to increase transparency in the home buying process and encourage energy-saving upgrades.
What is a Home Energy Score?
A Home Energy Score is a standardized tool developed by the US Department of Energy that can help people understand how their home uses energy and where there are opportunities for improvement. Similar to a car’s miles per gallon for fuel efficiency, it provides a rating of a home's energy efficiency 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 heater, insulation and more
- Customized recommendations for energy improvements
- Low-cost tips for saving money on energy bills
- $150-$300 to get a Home Energy Score
- View a sample Home Energy Score report
Proposed Home Energy Score Disclosure Policy
The City of Eugene is exploring a policy that would require disclosure of a Home Energy Score when a home is listed for sale. Under the proposed Home Energy Score disclosure policy, the seller of a home would:
- Get a Home Energy Score from a licensed home energy assessor before advertising a home for sale. The average cost of a Home Energy Score is roughly $150. A list of assessors who serve the Eugene area can be found here.
- Include the Home Energy Score report in the home listing on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) database, such as Zillow or Redfin.
- Allow prospective buyers to view the Home Energy Score as they look at homes.
Goals of the Proposed Policy
- Increase transparency: Provide buyers with clear, consistent information about a home’s energy performance.
- Support informed decisions: Help buyers understand potential energy costs and features before purchasing a home.
- Encourage energy-saving upgrades: Offer education and guidance so homeowners can voluntarily make improvements that reduce energy use and utility bills.
- Leverage the real estate moment: Share information at a time when people are likely to invest in upgrades to their homes.
Engagement and Research
The City of Eugene is seeking community input to help shape the policy. Through this engagement effort, the City will:
- Engage residents to understand their priorities and concerns.
- Research what other cities have done and identify best practices.
- Gather ideas for ways to make policies fair and effective.
Afterwards, staff will return to City Council to share results of engagement and research.
Background
Our region faces challenges with inefficient energy usage in homes and buildings leading to high energy costs. In Eugene, 65% of homes were built before 1990, which is when the building code was updated to establish stronger energy efficiency standards. This means that many homes have poor insulation, inefficient heating systems, and outdated appliances. Additionally, 34% of households in Lane County are considered energy-burdened, meaning that the impacts of low energy efficiency are disproportionately affecting low income households. Many residents do not know where to start or what resources are available. Expanding the use of home energy scores is one way to address these challenges.
City Council has directed staff to explore home energy score policy options and present possible pathways forward. Four Oregon cities currently require a home energy score when listing a home for sale, including Portland, Hillsboro, Bend and Milwaukee. Eugene is a exploring a similar policy based on the outcomes of community engagement and policy research.
