AB 2678 was recently modified to exclude a point of sale requirement for energy audits and mandatory retrofits. CAR (California Association of Realtors) states that a point of sale requirement is inefficient because it requires homes to turnover before going into effect. I believe this is an accurate observation. CAR statistics show that only 22% of the properties most in need of energy efficiency retrofits will actually be sold by 2020. Therefore, a point of sale program does not go far enough to meet the GHG reduction goal. Insteady I believe we should be exploring a community wide retrofit program that offers incentives to property owners to "green up" their buildings.
Energy audits during the inspection period are already a standard of care for many residential realtors including myself. From a buyer's perspective, who wouldn't want to know how energy efficient a home is or is not?
Cost vs benefit and cash flow limitations are the two primary reasons that most homeowners aren't taking action today to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. The cost of gas, food, and other everyday essentials, has reduced the consumers disposable income and the ability to purchase energy efficient appliances that will take some time to reap the payback benefits. This is why I think there is merit to exploring a community wide retrofit program that provides incentives to retrofit, better utilizes market driven forces, and targets low cost, high impact retrofits to existing buildings (e.g. Light bulbs, water heaters, HVAC, and whatever their commercial equivalents might be.)
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