Homebuyers attending the Central Oregon Home Builders Association Tour of Homes (July 20-22 and 27-29) can add energy efficiency to the list of features they are looking for in their new home, with help from Energy Trust of Oregon.
The nonprofit is working with local builders to offer EPS, an energy performance scoring tool, on 20 tour homes this year. EPS makes reviewing a newly built home’s expected energy use, carbon impact and monthly utility costs as easy as reading the miles-per-gallon sticker on a new car. It also helps homebuyers compare these features while shopping.
To receive an EPS, a home is inspected and verified during the building phase by a third-party verifier and assigned a numerical score — the lower an EPS, the better, with zero energy consumption being the best. Factors such as a home’s size, level of insulation, air leakage, heating and cooling systems, major appliances, lighting and water heating are all part of the home’s score. The EPS also shows how much more efficient a home is compared to a similar size home built to Oregon building code standards.
“Energy use and carbon footprint are important factors to consider when buying or building a new home. They affect a home’s operating costs and performance over time as well as how it will impact the environment,” said Matt Braman, residential program manager, Energy Trust. “Builders offering an EPS are helping to lead the way to promote more energy-efficient new home construction and encourage homebuyers to consider a home’s energy consumption as part of their buying decision.”
During the tour, participants can also pick up Energy Trust’s Smart Homebuyer Checklist, a free guide that offers the tools homebuyers need to talk about a home’s energy efficiency with their builder or realtor. It includes questions and information that can help homebuyers learn what to look for, what to ask and how to make informed decisions based on what they learn.
The following 2012 COBA Tour of Homes builders will feature a home with an EPS on the tour, which is scheduled for the weekends of July 20-22 and 27-29 this year. Scores will be available for review at each home, along with Energy Trust’s free Smart Homebuyer Checklist.
· Arrowood Development – Triple Knot
· Artisan Homes
· BlackRock Construction
· Choice One Builders
· Greg Welch Construction
· Knighten Construction
· R.D. Building & Design LLC
· Sage Builders
· Simplicity Homes
· Solaire HomeBuilders
· StoneBridge Homes NW
· Structure Development NW
· Woodhill Enterprises
EPS is a voluntary rating and is currently available on a variety of newly built homes for sale throughout Oregon. To learn more about EPS and to see a sample score, visit www.energytrust.org/eps <http://www.energytrust.org/eps> . To download a free Smart Homebuyer Checklist visit www.energytrust.org/smarthomebuyer.
Energy Trust of Oregon is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to helping utility customers benefit from saving energy and tapping renewable resources. Our services, cash incentives and energy solutions have helped participating customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural and Cascade Natural Gas save more than $1 billion on energy bills. Our work helps keep energy costs as low as possible, creates jobs and builds a sustainable energy future. Learn more at www.energytrust.org or call 1-866-368-7878.
