The Eugene City Council has approved the first step toward requiring home energy scores for houses listed for sale in Eugene.
Council members voted 5–3 to move forward with drafting an ordinance that would require sellers to obtain an energy efficiency score before putting their homes on the market. If approved, Eugene would become the fifth Oregon city to adopt the policy.
The system uses a model developed by the U.S. Department of Energy in 2012, which rates homes on a scale from 1 to 10 based on energy efficiency. Similar policies are already in place in Portland, Hillsboro, Milwaukie and Bend.
Energy auditors evaluate factors such as the size of the home, number and orientation of windows, and insulation in areas like the attic, basement, crawl space and walls.
Supporters say the policy would help buyers better understand the long-term costs of owning a home. Councilor Matt Keating described the proposal as a modern consumer protection measure that provides transparency about a home’s energy performance.
Councilor Alan Zelenka said the score would also show estimated annual energy costs, giving buyers insight into operating expenses and affordability.
However, some council members expressed concern about additional regulations. Councilor Randy Groves argued that increasing requirements for homeowners could discourage people from moving to the city.
The council has directed the city manager to draft the ordinance. Once completed, the proposal will return to the council for review and a public hearing before any final vote.
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