The Energy Challenge

BendKid: Since the HES outlines potential improvements, it shows the potential of the home and that it still has value. Just because a home gets a low score, doesn't mean it won't be valued on the marketplace--it is Bend after all. Some homes with a lower score, with a few energy upgrades, may still end up being as efficient as a higher scored home.

Additionally, one of the great things about the HES is that it makes energy improvements visible, thus having a value in the real estate market. Right now, if you are on a tight budget and trying to decide what kinds of improvements to make that will improve your re-sale in the future, you would be left with things like countertops that have a better payoff rather than something like a new heat pump water heater that could start saving you money right now. The HES gives you the opportunity to make an energy upgrade, save energy and money, and then have that upgrade be factored into the value of your property. For those that are low-moderate income, there are even increased incentive amounts to help make those types of energy upgrades more possible.

If someone gets a low score, they are not required to fix it (can you imagine the pushback if that were the case?!). It will, however, give someone looking at that home a heads up on what they can expect their energy costs to be and a list of potential improvements they could make so they can factor that information appropriately into their buying decision. Some homes with a lower score, with a few energy upgrades, may still cost less than a home with a higher score. Without knowing what energy improvements make sense for the home, the average homebuyer would never be able to weigh all those variables to figure out which is the better deal with just information from a call the utility companies.

The plan does call on the City to lead by example with electric vehicles--if you want to see more efficient vehicles, you should let them know!