ShareNAR participated in a recent Department of Energy Conference on the roll-out and implementation of a voluntary home energy score program. The Home Energy Score allows a homeowner to evaluate how energy efficient their home is and cost effective ways to save energy.
While NAR supports voluntary, incentive-based programs that encourage owners to make their homes more energy efficient, members do have concerns regarding the accuracy and stigmatizing effect of energy scores and labels, and ensuring that a voluntary program does not become mandatory, especially at time of purchase. REALTORS® who participated in the conference made the observation that consumers were already requesting and obtaining this kind of information through market-based mechanisms and made the case that real estate markets are responding to consumer demand for this data.
DOE estimates this voluntary program will be fully implemented by the fall of 2012.