Austin Real Estate- Energy Efficiency Tips - Part 1

Going green, or making your Austin real estate more energy efficient, is great way to put some more green in your pocket! Ed Clark, Austin Energy Communications Director, discusses rebate programs, new federal tax incentives, and what types of financial savings some of these improvements can offer. This presentation is in two parts, so be sure to view "Part 2" when this video has finished.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Austin
• energy efficiency
• Austin real estate
• green
• homes
• saving energy
• rebates
• incentives
• Energy

[order9066]

I'm glad ABOR pushed back on the mandatory retrofits at the point of sale. But why did ABOR "make a proposal to the Energy Efficiency UpgradesTask Force "urging that an audit be required before a property is sold with full disclosure to the purchaser", page 8 of the Final Report to City Council, dated Sep 11, 2008?

[aboruser]

@order9066 At the time, it was apparent that an energy efficiency ordinance would be approved by the City of Austin. The specifications of that ordinance were subject of much debate. ABoR recognized the importance of working with the City on establishing energy efficiency measures that could benefit our environment & homeowners. With proper delivery, audits can equip homebuyers with valuable info about available homes & encourage sellers to voluntarily make improvements that save energy.

[d1incharge]

It is not about the ECAD ordinance, it is about their rebate program. ABoR? Arent they responsible for fighting the required fixes, like having the ducts sealed? To test the ducts without requiring them fixed was a HUGE mistake, wasnt this ABoR's doing? ABoR needs to stay away from posing as the public voice. The ECAD ordinance is one of the things I like about Austin, but it needs improved.

[aboruser]

It looks like questions regarding the City of Austins rebate program can be sent to: custinfo[at]austinenergy[dot]c­om. A study by AgResearch, Inc. showed that making home upgrades mandatory would negatively impact housing affordability. In addition, existing Austin homeowners voiced strong opposition to mandatory upgrades. ABoR supports the rights of homeowners and is working with the City to promote energy conservation goals through public education.

[d1incharge]

"free energy audits" is a lie, and they need to be confronted for it. Most of the rebate money is lost through their inefficient program and thier "buddy" list of contractors that are likely to give sky high bids. Mabye customers dont like having to get bids from @ least 3 contractors, two added inspections, and the trips the contractors make to do the improvements can force you to be home 6-8 times@1-3 hours each, costing you far more than the rebates, which they DONT EVEN offer with the loan.

[aboruser]

Thank you for your feedback about the ECAD ordinance. ABoR is collecting comments to provide to the City of Austin upon evaluation of the mandatory audits. Your comment has also been forwarded to representatives at the City for consideration.

[d1incharge]

Could somebody out there please mention to people that whatever they recieve in rebates they are PAYING IN MORE!. If you get 500$ in rebates, that means AE has to charge @ least 550$ to get you that money, for their overhead costs. That 550$ COMES FROM CUSTOMERS. I can't believe these fools parading as intelligent operators of a public energy company, don't realize the flaw in this math. You justify charging 550$ to give 500$ in rebates, would they like us to believe the rebates are from santa?

[order9066]

Spoken like someone who doesn't live in Austin.

[d1incharge]

Maybe when the feds go to restrict mpg's, or increase crash safety, we should send a national board of car salesmen to the white house to represent the people? Did the people say, let ABoR represent us in this matter?

[d1incharge]

Is it the homeowners right to pollute now? Is that the right you are looking out for ABoR? Even a 200$ car has to have an annual emissions test, are you saying a home is the place you have the right to pollute, or drive up the neighbors cost of power? ABoR does NOT stand for board of homeowners DONT DARE lie to us as if you are looking out for them. ABoR needs to stay the fck out of this! ECAD is between the public, and the City of Austin.

[d1incharge]

ABOR can use whatever made up study they want to, how stupid do you have to be to believe a study that is trying to predict the future of the housing market? AgResearch should be ashamed. A few homeowners rounded up by realtors voiced strong opposition out of their own ignorance. A majority of homeowners really didnt have a say. Vocal minority was the greedy azzed realtors doing anything to keep the sales process fast, easy and profitable for them. Realtors most often=slimeballs