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City staff seek input on seller-disclosed home energy score to boost transparency and upgrades
Summary
City staff presented a proposal to require sellers to provide a U.S. Department of Energy home energy score on real‑estate listings, aiming to improve transparency and encourage energy upgrades; commissioners pressed staff on assessor capacity, equity impacts for low‑income sellers, and subsidy/enforcement options. Staff will present recommendations to City Council in early 2026.
City staff on the Sustainability Commission briefly outlined a proposal to integrate a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) home energy score into the real‑estate transaction process for Eugene.
Danielle, the city’s climate policy analyst, told commissioners the score is “a tool that was developed by the US Department of Energy” that yields a 1‑to‑10 rating and a short report with recommended improvements. She said typical in‑home assessments take about an hour and “cost about $150 for a 1,200 to 1,500 square foot home.” Under the option staff is researching, sellers would obtain a licensed assessor’s report and post the score on online listings so buyers can compare energy performance across homes.
Staff framed three core goals: increase transparency for buyers about expected energy use and costs, encourage sellers and buyers to pursue energy‑saving upgrades, and reduce energy burden among households that struggle with utility bills. Danielle said preliminary local research and comparative studies show homeowners with a score are more likely to pursue upgrades; staff cited a range of “8 to 23%” greater likelihood of significant upgrades where scores are used.
Commissioners’ questions focused on implementation details and equity risks. Several members asked where assessors would come from and whether Eugene has local capacity; staff said the current assessor list includes few local providers and that other cities (notably Bend) used training partnerships, such as Earth Advantage, to grow a local workforce. Commissioners recommended considering certification pathways for existing home inspectors.
A recurring concern was the potential harm to low‑income sellers. Commissioners warned that mandatory disclosure could stigmatize older, low‑scoring homes and depress sale prices for owners who lack resources to make improvements. Staff acknowledged the risk and said the city is exploring mitigation: subsidized assessments for low‑income sellers during an early rollout period, bilingual assessor recruitment, partnerships with the University of Oregon and EWEB to supply low‑cost or free scoring programs, and clearer connections to rebate and weatherization funding so buyers are positioned to finance upgrades.
On enforcement and lender effects, staff said enforcement approaches vary in the four Oregon cities that have adopted similar policies; preliminary research has not shown systemic lending penalties, and staff noted mortgage products tied to energy performance (energy efficiency mortgages) that can help buyers qualify.
Staff emphasized that council has directed outreach and research; they will return to City Council in early 2026 with recommended options, including enforcement models, subsidy approaches, and outreach strategies.
The commission did not take a formal vote on policy direction at this meeting; the exchange focused on clarifying design choices, equity safeguards and where the city could find funding to subsidize assessments.
