BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1809
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 1809 (Smyth)
As Amended April 26, 2010
Majority vote
BUSINESS & PROFESSIONS 11-0
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|Ayes:|Hayashi, Emmerson, | | |
| |Conway, Eng, Hernandez, | | |
| |Hill, Ma, Nava, Niello, | | |
| |Ruskin, Smyth | | |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Allows a client to request a home inspection to
include a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) energy audit.
Specifically, this bill :
1)Requires that if a client requests an inspection of energy
efficiency or a HERS California home energy audit, the home
inspection report must include, at a minimum, all of the
following information:
a) An overview of how the home works as a system and how to
prioritize actions;
b) Quality installation of heating, ventilating, and
air-conditioning equipment, including proper sizing of
equipment, duct sealing, and refrigerant charge and air
flow;
c) Quality building envelope air sealing and proper levels
of insulation;
d) An overview of ENERGY STAR or better products and
appliances;
e) Information regarding access to a comprehensive home
energy audit;
f) Non-energy benefits of improving the energy efficiency
of the home, including reduction of carbon emissions;
g) A general statement regarding opportunities to improve
AB 1809
Page 2
the thermal envelope, mechanical equipment, lighting, and
appliances in the home; and,
h) A general discussion of concerns regarding combustion
safety.
2)Declares legislative intent.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Allows an individual to request an energy efficiency
inspection as part of a home inspection.
2)Establishes the Warren-Alquist State Energy Resources
Conservation and Development Act, which requires the
California Energy Commission (CEC) to establish specified
standards related to a statewide home energy rating program
for residential dwellings, known as the HERS program.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown. This bill is keyed non-fiscal.
COMMENTS : According to the author's office, "Current law allows
consumers to request a generic energy efficiency inspection as
part of their home inspection. AB 1809 simply seeks to clarify
existing law in order to give consumers the option to choose to
have a HERS inspection conducted by a HERS-certified inspector."
CEC establishes regulations for the HERS program to certify home
energy rating services in California. The program provides
standards to measure energy efficiency levels among California
homes and to guide investment in cost-effective home energy
efficiency measures.
The HERS scoring system, known as the HERS Index, was
established by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET),
a non-profit membership organization. The HERS Index scores a
home out of 100 points; the lower a home's score, the more
energy efficient it is.
Currently, there are 42 HERS-certified inspectors and three
accredited providers that certify HERS inspectors in California.
To become a HERS-certified inspector, an individual must
complete RESNET-accredited training, receive certification from
a RESNET rating provider, and pass an examination.
AB 1809
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Staff notes that nothing in current law precludes home buyers
and sellers from requesting an energy efficiency inspection from
HERS-certified inspectors and notes that a list of efficiency
efficiency items that may be inspected during an energy effiency
inspection is included in statute.
Analysis Prepared by : Joanna Gin / B.,P. & C.P. / (916)
319-3301
FN: 0004025