Home Energy Rating Disclosure Ordinance 89% compliance rate provides transparency for Ann Arbor home buyers

The Home Energy Rating Disclosure (HERD) Ordinance, enacted in 2024, requires Ann Arbor home sale listings to include information on potential energy costs by including the property’s Home Energy Score (HES). The HES is a Department of Energy program that results in a report with details about a homes’ energy efficiency status along with opportunities for improvement. This information enables more knowledgeable decisions about the full cost of home ownership. 

After its first program year of full enforcement, 89% of relevant listings are now fully compliant with the HERD ordinance. This HES score and supporting HERD report are becoming a consistent and empowering feature of Ann Arbor’s real estate market. 

Home Energy Score Assessments are available at no cost to Ann Arborites through the City of Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations. Home sellers can request assessments online from certified Home Energy Score assessors and receive their reports within three business days. The report not only includes a score that represents how the home’s energy use compares to an average Ann Arbor home, but also includes information on the home’s construction and mechanical equipment as well as the home’s projected annual energy use and cost. Potential homebuyers can visit the City of Ann Arbor A2 HERDMap to download and view these reports.

“The Home Energy Score Report is the best choice for providing accurate energy cost information to home buyers,” said Steve Christensen, energy assessor for the City of Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations. “Having this information is the first step in helping new homeowners take action in their new home to reduce energy costs and increase health and safety.” 

Beginning this July, new homeowners who received a Home Energy Score will also be receiving a flyer with customized energy saving recommendations based on information from their Home Energy Score Report. To further help homeowners take action, the recommended measures are linked to City of Ann Arbor Home Energy Rebates to help homeowners complete upgrades.

To learn more about the Home Energy Rating Disclosure Ordinance, visit osi.a2gov.org/herd. To learn more about A2ZERO, as well as ways to get involved and other program offerings, visit a2gov.org/sustainability. 

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Media Contact: 

Steve Christensen, Energy Assessor, City of Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations, schristensen@a2gov.org