Join the "HERD"!
As part of the A2ZERO Plan, The OSI continues to work on
policies, initiatives, and programs to help our community reduce the carbon emissions
from buildings. The latest of these policies prioritizes single family homes and was unanimously passed by City Council on September 5, 2023 (but doesn't take effect until 3/14/24). Known
as the Home Energy Rating Disclosure (HERD) Ordinance, this policy will provide
consumer protections for home buyers by helping them understand the energy
efficiency of the homes on the market in Ann Arbor. This will be accomplished
by requiring a simple Home Energy Score (HES) assessment to be conducted before the
home lists for sale. HERD makes a home's energy use easy to understand, like a miles-per-gallon/charge rating for a vehicle.
For more information, please check out the 
HERD FAQ.pdf.
Read the ordinance language as passed by City Council:Chapter 102 Home Energy Rating Disclosure - ORD23-26.pdf
HERD and the HES
The HERD program utilizes the U.S. Department of Energy’s
Home Energy Score (HES). The Home Energy Score rates homes on a simple 1–10 scale, with 10 being the most efficient. It comes with a report that suggests ways a homeowner can increase their score and decrease their utility bills, and is useful for buyers who want to compare credible information about home energy costs. Learn more
about the Home Energy Score.
When preparing to list a home, homeowners or real estate agents should
schedule a HES Assessment with a certified assessor. Once complete, homeowners will receive the HES and accompanying report.
HERD and Ann Arbor's Climate Goals
In Ann Abor, around 23% of our greenhouse gas emissions come from residential buildings (0r 66% for all buildings types). Voluntary efforts to reduce energy consumption in our homes make a difference, but we cannot achieve our climate goals without increasing energy efficiency in the residential sector. The HERD program will help by providing buyers and sellers with a roadmap for cost-effective improvements that will improve their homes and health while accelerating our progress to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.
