Residential ECAD Audit

1st Choice Energy provides single family residential energy audits in accord with Austin's Energy Conservation Audit and Disclosure (ECAD) ordinance, at competitive rates and with a quick turnaround.

The City of Austin's Energy Conservation Audit and Disclosure ordinance (Austin City Code Chapter 6-7) requires owners of single family homes have an energy audit conducted on their home before selling it. While Austin Energy provides a full list of specifications, as well as a tool to determine whether your home requires an ECAD audit, this page provides a summary of the ordinance including what the ECAD single family audit entails, which homes are required to have the audit, and exemptions. 

Who Needs an ECAD Audit? 

The City of Austin requires that all sellers of single family homes (homes with fewer than 5 dwelling units) have an audit conducted before the point of sale, with the following exceptions: 

• If the home is less than 10 years old at the point of sale, it does not need an energy audit.
• If a home has undergone upgrades as part of Austin Energy's Home Performance with Energy Star program, or an equivalent Austin Energy program, within ten years of the point of sale, and either received $500 or more in rebates or had 3 energy efficiency improvements made, it does not need an energy audit. These energy efficiency improvements can include any of the following: R38 attic insulation; solar screen, solar film, or low-e windows; radiant barriers; duct replacement, insulation, or duct sealing; air sealing; or high efficiency, qualifying HVAC systems. 
• If the home has received improvements as part of the Austin Energy Free Home Improvements program, which provides weatherization and energy efficiency improvements for families with low-to-moderate incomes, it does not require an energy audit. 
• If the home is a mobile home built on a permanent chassis designed for use without a permanent foundation, it does not require an ECAD audit.
• If the home transfers ownership under a foreclosure, as a pre-foreclosure sale, under threat or exercise or eminent domain, is tranferred as a gift from one family member to another, under a court order or probate proceedings, or as part of a divorce proceeding or legal separation, it does not need an ECAD audit. 

What Does an ECAD Audit Entail? 

Austin Energy requires that energy auditors performing ECAD audits be certified either by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) or the Building Performance Institute (BPI). (1st Choice Energy is a certified ECAD energy auditor registered with Austin Energy.)

During the audit we will conduct the following tests:

• Attic insulation inspection
• Duct leakage testing
• A visual inspection of weatherstripping and air sealing
• Window inspection.  

The ECAD ordinance does not require that home-sellers or home-buyers perform energy efficiency upgrades, although the energy audit report will provide specific recommendations for the most cost-effective improvents. Check our incentives page for information about rebates and incentives for Austin homeowners who would like to upgrade the energy efficiency of their home.