If you live in the City of Boulder, you have probably heard at least something about the SmartRegs Program for residential rental property.
SmartRegs was passed by Boulder City Council Members and Voters in 2006 to help decrease greenhouse gas emissions. This mandatory program requires that all properties built after June of 2001 meet at least one of two standards for energy efficiency:
HERS (Home Energy Rating System) score of 120 or less; or
“Prescriptive Pathway” Score of 100 points or more.
All residential rental properties in the City of Boulder are required to be in compliance by January 2, 2019.
Obtaining a HERS rating is a fairly costly and involved process, it can take several hours and the cost is usually in the range of $700 for a single family home. If you happen to already have a HERS rating for your property, great. If not, the Prescriptive Pathway system may be a more suitable option.
The Prescriptive Pathway system is intended to be a more simple and less costly energy audit. For $120 you can have an Initial SmartRegs Inspection done on your property (must be through an approved inspector, call 303-544-1000 to schedule). This inspection will help you determine what energy improvements (if any) you will need to make by the deadline in order to increase your property’s score.
Points are earned d on items such as: Attic and Wall Insulation, Windows, Air Infiltration/Duct Leakage, Floors/Foundations, Heating/Cooling/Hot Water, Lighting, Refrigeration, Solar Power, Occupant Behavior, and Water Conservation. Categories are weighted differently, so be sure to have a clear picture from the inspector about what the smartest improvements would be.
There are some great incentives to get your City rental property in compliance NOW. Rebates are being offered by Xcel Energy (20% of the project cost, up to $300) and the Energy Smart Program (Up to 50% of the project cost, up to $500 – this incentive ends May of 2013). You are required to use an approved contractor for this work.
Once you have completed the work and achieved the correct score, complete the SmartRegs Energy Efficiency Application through the City of Boulder and you will be awarded a Proof of Compliance Certificate. You only need to do this once and it does transfer with the property.
** Note: You do NOT have to have a rental property or live in the City to have the $120 EnergySmart inspection done – anyone in Boulder County can do it. This is a great opportunity to find out how you can make your home more energy efficient!
For more information, visit www.EnergySmartYES.com or call 303-544-1000