Energy and Housing Crisis Prompts Calls for More Efficient Buildings

Efficiency Plan Could Save Austinites Hundreds of Millions of Dollars, Avoid Need for New Power Plant

AUSTIN – Rising energy prices, the mortgage crisis and global warming have led a coalition of housing, consumer and environmental advocates to call on the city of Austin to adopt new standards to significantly improve the energy efficiency of existing homes, apartment complexes and commercial properties. A city task force issued recommendations on such a program earlier in the month.

“Too many Austinites are forced to pay very high electric bill because they live in older, energy-wasting apartments,” said Kathy Stark of the Austin Tenants Council. “These ‘energy hog’ properties need to be retrofitted with cost-effective efficiency measures, so tenants are not paying as much in utilities as they are in rent.” 

The task force voted unanimously to recommend that the city adopt an energy efficiency upgrade ordinance. The ordinance would require that, within two years, the oldest commercial and multi-family buildings conduct an energy audit, which would indicate how they are wasting energy and where cost-effective improvements can be made.  The results of the audit would be shared with Austin Energy, current tenants, and prospective renters.

“With rising transportation and food costs, the last thing renters need is to get socked with a big electric bill,” said Walter Moreau, Executive Director of Foundation Communities, a non-profit provider of affordable housing based in Austin. “Retrofitting inefficient buildings will save families money and make their home more affordable.”

According to Austin Energy, implementing efficiency upgrades will net the average homeowner $1355 over ten years. Renters of apartments built in the 1970s could save about $1490 in that timeframe if landlords replaced incandescent light bulbs with high-efficiency compact fluorescents (CFLs), repaired and sealed ducts and added reflective film to windows (at a cost to the landlord of approximately $698). If voluntary participation targets are met, the program would save 228 megawatts of energy, helping the city avoid the need to build a new power plant, and save the Austin community $700 million.

“Since my apartment complex has had efficiency measures added, my electric bills have gone down, making this a much more affordable place to live,” said Austin resident Charles DiTullio.

The task force report also includes a recommendation to require an energy audit for older single-family homes that have not undergone any energy efficiency upgrades before they are sold. The results of the audit would be available to prospective home buyers so that they have a better idea of how much it would cost to actually live in the house.

“This is not only an affordability issue and an environmental issue,” said David Foster, State Program Director for Clean Water Action. “It is also a right to know issue. Just as someone thinking about buying a new car has a right to know how many miles per gallon that vehicle gets, prospective home buyers and renters deserve to know how much money they can expect to spend on electricity in their new homes. And they deserve to know how much money they can save through energy efficiency measures.”

“Making our homes more energy efficient is one of the cheapest and fastest ways we can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and reduce global warming pollution,” said Luke Metzger, Director of Environment Texas. “The Austin City Council should adopt a strong policy that requires older buildings, particularly apartment complexes, to be retrofitted to reduce energy usage.” 

The coalition also announced the beginning of the Affordable Energy for Austin campaign and website (www.affordableenergyforaustin.org).  Its goal is to increase awareness of the benefits of energy efficiency, with the ultimate goal of passing a stronger and cost-effective retrofit ordinance.

“Meeting the rising demand for electricity is getting ever more difficult for utilities as energy prices rise,” Said Cary Ferchill, Chairman of Solar Austin, a local renewable energy advocacy group. “This is the most cost effective way for our community to improve our energy situation.  The City Council should move aggressively toward efficiency rather than let this problem grow.  If not, we will face much more expensive alternatives in the future.”   

City council is expected to take up the issue as early as November.