NEEP News
The Value of Full Disclosure
The Value of Full Disclosure
Consulting Specifying Engineer, August 2010
Residential and commercial buildings account for approximately 40 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and total energy consumption, according to the U.S.EPA. Improving the energy performance of existing homes and buildings, presents the biggest opportunity for energy savings, yet awareness of this largely untapped market is still relatively low. While consumers are given energy performance ratings for everything from televisions to cars, documented evidence of a building's energy performance is not required to be presented to potential buyers or renters, at any time during a sale or rental transaction in most U.S. states.
Much like an appliance energy rating label, building energy rating systems gives consumers the tools to make informed choices and protect themselves against poor buildings and building components, higher-than-anticipated energy bills, discomfort, or unplanned renovation needs. Building energy rating also provides a market-based mechanism for creating a common currency regarding home or building energy use.
As states and municipalities work to strengthen their economies, create jobs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve greater energy efficiency and independence, mandatory disclosure and upgrade policies offer an exciting new opportunity to value and secure significant energy savings.
