The city of Gainesville, Florida was recently recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Energy for an adopted ordinance that requires rental housing to receive a Home Energy Score during rental inspections.
The ordinance, believed to be the first of its kind in the U.S., applies to all rental units including quadruplexes and smaller properties. The city’s permit and inspection program aims to raise minimum energy efficiency, safety, and property maintenance standards for regulated residential rental units.
The Home Energy Score is a numerical rating from one to 10 that helps homeowners, buyers, and tenants understand how energy-efficient a home or rental unit is and how it compares to other units. The score is based on a unit’s envelope—roof, foundation, walls, insulation, and windows, and its energy systems—heating, cooling, and hot water. The higher the score, the higher a unit’s energy efficiency.
As a DOE 2022 Annual Partner Innovation Award program partner, Gainesville is required to inspect a minimum of 500 homes per year. More than 440 rental units have been scored to date.
Related Stories
Building Team | Nov 14, 2017
12 differences between average and high-growth firms
We’ve developed a pretty good understanding of what high-growth firms do differently from their average-growth peers.
Sponsored | Building Team | Nov 3, 2017
4 strategies for marketing your AEC firm
Having a clearly defined competitive brand and a fine-tuned marketing approach can give your firm a significant competitive advantage.
Sponsored | Building Team | Sep 21, 2017
The 11 project performance metrics that keep you on track
Projects are the backbone of the way you do business. Isn’t it time that you step up their analysis?
Architects | Aug 16, 2017
Staffelbach joins DLR Group
The firm will be merging operations immediately with full integration and the name change to DLR Group| Staffelbach effective October 2.
Multifamily Housing | Aug 14, 2017
Co-living: The next real estate disruptor or niche market?
From a practicality standpoint, co-living makes complete sense for young, single, and highly mobile working professionals.
Building Team | Jul 25, 2017
Managing workplace change: The three C's to building trust
Building trust takes time and consistency, and is typically much easier to break than build.
Giants 400 | Jul 12, 2017
Innovation abounds, but will it lead to growth for AEC Giants?
Engineering firms such as Arup, Glumac, and Thornton Tomasetti are leveraging their in-house expertise to develop products and tools for their design teams, clients, and even the competition.
Building Team | Jun 27, 2017
Bruner Foundation announces 2017 Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence gold and silver medalists
The SteelStacks Arts and Cultural Campus in Bethlehem, Pa., receives the gold medal and $50,000.
Urban Planning | Jun 26, 2017
Convenience and community lead the suburban shift
As the demand for well-connected urban locales increases, so too has the cost of property and monthly rent; and as suburbs typically offer a bargain on both, more people are looking for a compromise.
Building Team | Jun 23, 2017
These are the recipients of the AIA's 2017 Small Project Awards
11 projects were awarded in 2017.
