Austin, TX
BACKGROUND
On Nov. 6, 2008, the Austin City Council approved the Energy Conservation Audit and Disclosure Ordinance (#20081106-047), one of the most aggressive pieces of building energy efficiency legislation in the nation. It requires building energy rating and disclosure for nonresidential facilities and mandatory energy audits for homes and apartment complexes. Some apartment complexes are also required to undergo energy retrofits.
The ordinance became effective in June 2009. It supports former Austin Mayor Will Wynn's Climate Protection Plan, launched in 2007, that aims to offset 700 megawatts of peak energy demand by 2020 to reduce Austin's carbon footprint. The ordinance was crafted by the Austin Energy Efficiency Retrofit Task Force with input from local realtors and other parties.
KEY PROVISIONS
Effective June 1, 2009, residences with four or fewer units, including all single-family homes, must complete an energy audit prior to the sale of the property and provide a copy of the results of the audit to prospective purchasers. A range of exemptions are available, including for homes built within 10 years of the sale date, all condominiums or voluntary participation in some Austin Energy Utility programs. Audits are valid for 10 years.
Multifamily Energy Audits and Upgrades
Apartment buildings greater than 10 years old must have an energy audit by June 1, 2011, while buildings less than 10 years old are required to perform an audit within 10 years of the completion of construction. The results of the audit must be posted within the building and provided to prospective tenants and buyers. Additionally, "high energy-use" properties consuming more than 150% of the average multifamily energy use per SF in Austin must make energy retrofits within 18 months to bring the property to within 110% of the average.
Commercial Building Energy Rating and Disclosure
Nonresidential buildings greater than 10 years old must generate an energy rating by June 1, 2011, while buildings less than 10 years old are required to generate a rating within 10 years of the completion of construction. Ratings must be disclosed to prospective buyers prior to a sale transaction, however no energy audit is required. Buildings will be rated using ENERGY STAR software or a free online tool from Austin Energy (for facilities less than 5,000 SF.) Industrial properties are exempt.
- Read the City Ordinance
- See detailed information on the ordinance from Austin Energy
- Read updated rulemaking on the ordinance (Sept. 21, 2009)
- See the Austin Board of Realtors' Guide to ECAD
PRESS AND MEDIA COVERAGE
Many Austin Homes Fail Energy Audit | KXAN.com, 6.09.09
City Mandates Home Energy Audits | Community Impact Newspaper, 5.22.09
Mayor Touts Energy Audit Plan | Austin Statesman, 10.21.08
