HERS® Ratings Expected to Receive Boost in Utah with Enactment of Legislation Establishing the “Voluntary Home Energy Information Pilot Program” Utah homebuyers will be armed with information on the energy performance of a home they are considering purchasing with the enactment of H.B. 235 “Voluntary Home Energy Information Pilot Program” by the Utah State Legislature. The new law creates a state home energy performance score system and a home energy information pilot program. The pilot program is designed to achieve: • Provide widespread information to homebuyers and sellers about a home’s energy efficiency, cost savings, and air quality. • Drive consumers to ask about the energy efficiency performance of homes they are considering to purchase. • Increase market demand for energy-efficient homes and home energy efficiency upgrades. The legislation also creates an opportunity for reimbursement for a home energy assessment and home energy performance report. The law mandates the creation of a 12-member Home Energy Information Advisory Committee that will determine numerous program parameters. The advisory committee and the Utah Office of Energy Development will work together to create a home energy performance score system that will produce both a score and a report, incorporate building energy assessment software, recommend reimbursement amounts, and training requirements for home energy assessors. The legislation specifically recognizes RESNET’s HERS® Index as a basis of the state’s home energy score system. The new law defines that the report will include the following information: • The residential building’s home energy performance score, and an explanation of the score, • An estimate of the total energy used in the home in retail units of energy, by fuel type; • An estimate of the annual energy costs for operating the home; • An estimate of the annual emissions resulting from energy used in the home; • A list of recommended home improvements to reduce energy use in the home; and • Other information the Office of Energy Development, in consultation with the advisory committee, determines is appropriate to include. To download the legislation go to Utah Voluntary Home Energy Information Pilot Program The legislation also recognizes the U.S. Department of Energy’s Home Energy Score for the voluntary program.
