Realtor speaks out about city of Eugene's proposed home energy score policy

EUGENE, Ore. — As the city of Eugene moves toward potentially requiring homeowners to show their home energy scores, one realtor we spoke with said the new rule will be costly for homeowners looking to sell.

Under the proposed system, home energy efficiency scores would be ranked on a scale of 1 to 10 following an assessment of a home’s insulation, A/C systems, windows, roofs, and electronics.

That assessment would cost homeowners about $150, according to the city.

“They’re already experiencing expenses that they need to incur to fix their homes up to get them ready for the market,” realtor Derrick Roser said. “So, some of those folks are on very fixed incomes and this is a not necessary additional expense for those folks.”

A low score could cost sellers up to tens of thousands of dollars, according to Roser, who said it should remain an option for homeowners, but not a requirement.

“I don’t understand why it’s necessary to add that. Home buyers already have that option to do that themselves. Inspection companies have been offering that energy evaluation for years. So, if the buyers don’t see the need, why do we need to force that on the sellers?” he said.

The Oregon Department of Energy said the implementation of the scores would not impact the housing market.

“No research that we’ve done has shown where a home energy score makes a home cost more. It’s that’s a market economic negotiation between a home seller and a buyer. So, you take it or leave it, whatever you feel,” energy department analyst and regional solutions member Roger Kainu said.

The goal of this policy is to increase transparency, support informed decisions, encourage energy saving upgrades and leverage real estate, according to the city.