Energy Efficiency & Climate Control
Date 10/18/2011
Energy Efficiency and Climate Change
The U.S. Department of Energy requested information on a proposal to develop a voluntary energy scoring program for commercial buildings. This proposed energy rating program would allow building owners, managers, investors and tenants to obtain a rating on how efficiently their building uses energy and would provide information on how the building could improve its energy efficiency.
NAR’s comments on this program mirror concerns with a recently developed residential energy performance score – these kind of scoring programs stigmatize older, less efficient existing buildings in the real estate marketplace, thereby reducing property values. Building energy rating systems will not lead to reductions in energy use. The most effective way to enhance energy efficiency in buildings is to provide the financial resources and market incentives that educate all building owners—not just those in the process of purchasing properties—about the benefits of making needed energy improvements.
DOE is in the beginning of the data collection phase for this program and has not proposed a timeframe for introduction and impementation.
Russell Riggs, 202-383-1259
Austin Perez, 202-383-1046