For Real Estate Listings
If your selling a home in Portland, Milwuakie, or the City of Hillsboro, a Home Energy Score is required before listing the property* for sale. The mandate requires Homeowners, Developers, and Flippers to obtain a Home Energy Score prior to marketing the upcoming sale of a property or listing it in the MLS or other such areas.
Home Energy Scores are easy to obtain, and provide potential buyers with information regarding the home that goes beyond that of a standard home inspection. From energy usage types and volumes, to carbon footprint levels, an Energy Score provides an depth look at both the property’s efficiency and consumption levels.
HOME ENERGY SCORE
- Meets “For Sale” mandated requirements
- Any size home in the metro area
- Same day results are available
- Easy online scheduling
- 1 hour appointment
FAQ
A Home Energy Score is an Energy Assessment report that complies information based on a variety of data gathered on the subject home being Scored. In the City of Portland, and in the City of Milwaukie, all homes* must have a Home Energy Score report created for a property before it can be listed for sale. Information found on the report includes the type and amount of energy the home is likely to consume based on typical usage standards. The report also creates an estimate yearly cost of energy to operate that home, and the homes carbon footprint levels.
*Some exemptions due apply to specific locations and properties/situations as outlined in the Administrative Rules of the Residential Energy Performance Rating Disclosure created by each City.
A Home Energy Score report includes the home’s energy consumption levels, (based on the home’s envelope), the energy source the home uses (such as natural gas, electricity, etc.), and an over view on the home’s efficiency levels (such how energy efficient the furnace is, or the type of windows and the number of glass panes it has). On homes that are not newly built, the report will also contain recommendations (if any) on how to increase the homes use of energy or where to make energy efficient improvements (such as adding insulation or updating the hot-water tank).
Prior to listing you home for sale, or marketing it in any way, the City has mandated that select homes require a Home Energy Score in advance. These reports work much like a Buyer’s Disclosure Document which provide prospective purchasers of the property detailed information regarding the homes energy efficiencies and consumption levels. The report goes beyond most standard home inspections when buying and selling real estate.
The Home Energy Score uses a simple 1 to 10 scoring method where receiving a 1 on a home means that the house has a higher energy use, where 10 means that the home has a lower energy use when compared to the typical home inside of Portland. A rating of a 5 means that the home uses the nearly the same, or average, amount of energy as a typical Home. There is no right or wrong Score number for a home, as the number only reflects the energy use of that property. There is no need to make any changes to the home either, as the report is there only for the bases of comparison.
The benefits of having a home Scored revolve around home quality reporting and the cost-effectiveness of that home. Scoring the home provides information on how to lower energy bills through upgrades, or by improving areas and systems inside of the home to reduce energy use.
For potential home buyer’s a well insulated home with low-energy consumption systems can prove to be a selling factor as a benefit to the potential buyer in already made updates and reduced energy cost.
The appointment may take up to 90 minutes, and our Energy Assessor can have your Home Energy Score report available for you the same day if you like. Scheduling your appointment can be done through our online calendar, allowing you to select a time and day that works best for your schedule.
We provide one simple flat rate for each Portland Home Energy Score. See above for pricing and details, or call our office at 503-330-1514 for more details.
Yes, our team works directly with homeowner, builders/developers, and Realtors. Once your Score is completed we will uploaded it to website, and provide you with a web-link which will allow you (and your Realtor) access to the report for viewing and downloading at anytime. Also, we will connect your report with your Realtors MLS listing so that they can input the Home Energy Score report with the click of just one button when they are ready to take your property “Live” on the market for sale.
Remember, no improvements are necessary when having a Home Energy Score performed on your home. However, if you would like to improve your home’s energy score you may consider the following;
- Upgrade your home’s insulation in the walls and attic
- Upgrade your furnace to a more efficient unit
- Install a high-efficiency water heater
- Add solar or thermal energy to your home to reduce the drain/use of electricity, natural gas, and oil-heating.
*Some exemptions due apply to specific locations inside of the city and to properties/situations as outlined in the Administrative Rules of the Residential Energy Performance Rating Disclosure created by the City.