Home Energy Score

Home energy shouldn't be a guessing game.

Scores, labels and ratings are a regular part of how we communicate information. We consult miles-per-gallon ratings on cars, nutrition labels on food, and energy guide labels on appliances to make informed consumer decisions. However, consumer labeling for home energy is inconsistent and unavailable in most real estate markets.

The Home Energy Score program can help fill that gap of information, letting owners and potential buyers know how energy efficient a building and home is, and what the estimated energy costs will be. In the Home Energy Score program, homeowners publicly listing their home for sale schedule a quick and easy Home Energy assessment from a certified assessor to receive Home Energy Score report to display on their home's listing.

Any applicable homes listed for sale after Oct. 1, 2020, must receive and disclose Home Energy Score report at time of listing. Learn more by reading the Residential Energy Performance Rating and Disclosure Ordinance, adopted by City Council on Jan. 21, 2020.

What is a Home Energy Score?
The Home Energy Score is a measurement of the energy efficiency of a home based on an onsite evaluation by a certified assessor of the physical characteristics of the house using the U.S. Department of Energy's (USDOE) Home Energy Score methodology. A Home Energy Score is not a measurement of the household's actual energy usage, which is influenced by occupant behavior, and therefore allows for apples-to-apples comparisons of a home's energy efficiency with other homes in the region.

For more information about the US DOE Home Energy Score program, including methodology, FAQs, and real estate resources, visit: www.homeenergyscore.gov.

Home Energy Score and Milwaukie's Climate Goals

In 2016, building energy was the largest sector of greenhouse gas emissions in Milwaukie. In October 2018, Milwaukie City Council unanimously adopted a Climate Action Plan (CAP) designed by community members, businesses, regional stakeholder and city staff to lower greenhouse gas emissions and meet established carbon goals. These goals were recently accelerated by a Climate Emergency Declaration from City Council.

By 2030, Milwaukie hopes to be net-zero carbon from electricity, by 2035, net-zero carbon from all building fuels, and by 2045, Milwaukie will be a carbon-neutral community.

One Building Energy and Efficiency action called for in the CAP was to adopt a residential energy performance rating and disclosure program, like Home Energy Score, to promote energy efficient buildings and raise awareness of energy usage in the community. After multiple discussions at City Council (see links below), meetings with industry stakeholders, and a public Home Energy Score Community Forum (event link below), Council unanimously adopted the Residential Energy Performance Rating and Disclosure Ordinance on Jan. 21, 2020.

Milwaukie's Home Energy Score Program

Milwaukie is the first city to implement a mandatory Home Energy Score program under Oregon Department of Energy’s statewide HES program network. Starting Oct. 1, 2020, all applicable homes listed publicly for sale within the Milwaukie city tax limits are required to obtain and disclose a Home Energy Score report from a qualified Home Energy Score assessor at time of listing.