If you’re planning to sell your home in Portland in 2018, there’s an important change taking effect January 1, 2018.
All homes being sold within Portland city limits will now be required to obtain a HOME ENERGY SCORE prior to being placed on the market. The new Home Energy Score ordinance, Portland City Code Chapter 17.108, applies to all types of home sales. This means that whether you’re selling your home yourself or through a real estate professional, an assessment must be completed. The home energy report and score should be easily accessible to prospective buyers and should be included in any listing or advertising.
What is a Home Energy Score?
The Home Energy Score is a calculated measurement of the energy efficiency of your home based on an evaluation of its physical characteristics. These scores are obtained through an authorized Home Energy Assessor, who provides the score and a report for your records.
Home Energy Scores range from 1 to 10. The most energy efficient homes receive a score of 10, which means that it ranks within 10% of homes that use the least amount of energy. A score of 5 is an average performance score for a home in Portland and a score of 1 means that your home consumes more energy than 85% of area homes.
For more information on how scores are calculated, check out the HOME ENERGY SCORE MODEL from the U.S. Department of Energy.
How Do You Obtain a Home Energy Assessment?
Home Energy Assessments must be obtained through an authorized Home Energy Score Assessor. These assessments take just about an hour to complete and collect over 70 pieces of data regarding your home’s energy efficiency. Factors taken into account are the home’s foundation, insulation, walls, windows, heating and cooling systems, and more.
To find an authorized Home Energy Score Assessor in the Portland area, CLICK HERE.
