Bill Text: PA SB1145 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Providing for residential real estate sellers to provide an energy audit of property and for duties of the State Real Estate Commission.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-06-30 - Referred to URBAN AFFAIRS AND HOUSING [SB1145 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2011-SB1145-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 1461
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 1145 Session of2011
INTRODUCED BY HUGHES, JUNE 30, 2011
REFERRED TO URBAN AFFAIRS AND HOUSING, JUNE 30, 2011
AN ACT
Amending Title 68 (Real and Personal Property) of the
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for residential
real estate sellers to provide an energy audit of property
and for duties of the State Real Estate Commission.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 68 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a chapter to read:
CHAPTER 74
ENERGY AUDITS
§ 7401. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Blower door test." A calibrated blower door test used to
determine a residence's airtightness, which addresses areas such
as:
(1) Reducing energy consumption due to air leakage.
(2) Avoiding moisture condensation problems.
(3) Avoiding uncomfortable drafts caused by cold air
leaking in from the outdoors.
(4) Preventing indoor air pollution.
§ 7402. Energy audit.
(a) General rule.--Any seller who intends to transfer an
interest in residential real property shall provide to the buyer
an energy audit. The energy audit shall include the following
information:
(1) Whether existing insulation is sufficient and areas
in need of additional insulation.
(2) Whether existing insulation was installed correctly
and its effectiveness.
(3) The presence of abnormally hot electrical
connections or components.
(4) Locations where heat is being created by excessive
friction.
(5) Whether heat is being lost and any air leakage.
(6) The presence of any roof leaks.
(7) An assessment of airtightness.
(8) Any moisture condensation problems.
(9) An assessment of air quality.
(10) Whether there are unsealed cracks or openings.
(11) An itemized estimate of the cost to repair
deficiencies.
(12) Itemized expected savings from repairing the found
deficiencies.
(b) Form.--A form for use in the conduct of energy audits
that satisfies the requirements of this chapter shall be
promulgated by the State Real Estate Commission.
§ 7403. Conduct of energy audit.
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An energy audit requires:
(1) An examination of each room of a residence.
(2) An examination of past utility bills.
(3) A determination of the size of the residence and its
features.
(4) A blower door test.
(5) A thermographic scan to detect thermal defects and
air leakage in the residence and to detect abnormally hot
electrical connections or components and the heat created by
excessive friction.
§ 7404. Energy auditors.
Energy audits under this chapter must be conducted by an
energy auditor who is listed on the registry established under
66 Pa.C.S. § 2806.2(a) (relating to energy efficiency and
conservation).
§ 7405. Delivery of energy audit.
A signed and dated copy of the energy audit shall be
delivered to a buyer prior to the signing of an agreement of
transfer by the seller and buyer with respect to the property.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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