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| THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA |
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| SENATE BILL |
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| INTRODUCED BY HUGHES, JUNE 30, 2011 |
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| REFERRED TO URBAN AFFAIRS AND HOUSING, JUNE 30, 2011 |
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| AN ACT |
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1 | Amending Title 68 (Real and Personal Property) of the |
2 | Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for residential |
3 | real estate sellers to provide an energy audit of property |
4 | and for duties of the State Real Estate Commission. |
5 | The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
6 | hereby enacts as follows: |
7 | Section 1. Title 68 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated |
8 | Statutes is amended by adding a chapter to read: |
9 | CHAPTER 74 |
10 | ENERGY AUDITS |
11 | § 7401. Definitions. |
12 | The following words and phrases when used in this chapter |
13 | shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the |
14 | context clearly indicates otherwise: |
15 | "Blower door test." A calibrated blower door test used to |
16 | determine a residence's airtightness, which addresses areas such |
17 | as: |
18 | (1) Reducing energy consumption due to air leakage. |
19 | (2) Avoiding moisture condensation problems. |
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1 | (3) Avoiding uncomfortable drafts caused by cold air |
2 | leaking in from the outdoors. |
3 | (4) Preventing indoor air pollution. |
4 | § 7402. Energy audit. |
5 | (a) General rule.--Any seller who intends to transfer an |
6 | interest in residential real property shall provide to the buyer |
7 | an energy audit. The energy audit shall include the following |
8 | information: |
9 | (1) Whether existing insulation is sufficient and areas |
10 | in need of additional insulation. |
11 | (2) Whether existing insulation was installed correctly |
12 | and its effectiveness. |
13 | (3) The presence of abnormally hot electrical |
14 | connections or components. |
15 | (4) Locations where heat is being created by excessive |
16 | friction. |
17 | (5) Whether heat is being lost and any air leakage. |
18 | (6) The presence of any roof leaks. |
19 | (7) An assessment of airtightness. |
20 | (8) Any moisture condensation problems. |
21 | (9) An assessment of air quality. |
22 | (10) Whether there are unsealed cracks or openings. |
23 | (11) An itemized estimate of the cost to repair |
24 | deficiencies. |
25 | (12) Itemized expected savings from repairing the found |
26 | deficiencies. |
27 | (b) Form.--A form for use in the conduct of energy audits |
28 | that satisfies the requirements of this chapter shall be |
29 | promulgated by the State Real Estate Commission. |
30 | § 7403. Conduct of energy audit. |
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1 | An energy audit requires: |
2 | (1) An examination of each room of a residence. |
3 | (2) An examination of past utility bills. |
4 | (3) A determination of the size of the residence and its |
5 | features. |
6 | (4) A blower door test. |
7 | (5) A thermographic scan to detect thermal defects and |
8 | air leakage in the residence and to detect abnormally hot |
9 | electrical connections or components and the heat created by |
10 | excessive friction. |
11 | § 7404. Energy auditors. |
12 | Energy audits under this chapter must be conducted by an |
13 | energy auditor who is listed on the registry established under |
14 | 66 Pa.C.S. § 2806.2(a) (relating to energy efficiency and |
15 | conservation). |
16 | § 7405. Delivery of energy audit. |
17 | A signed and dated copy of the energy audit shall be |
18 | delivered to a buyer prior to the signing of an agreement of |
19 | transfer by the seller and buyer with respect to the property. |
20 | Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days. |
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