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Texas · #25 metro by population

Home energy audits in Austin

Where to get a home energy audit in the Austin area, what it costs, which rebates are open now and where Texas stands on the federal Home Energy Rebates. Every program links to its official page and was checked on October 12, 2026.

Metro area: Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 12420; OMB July 2023 delineation: Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson counties).

An energy advisor’s kit on a front-hall bench: infrared camera, pressure gauge with tubing, tape measure, headlamp and a floor sketch
Start here Free Austin Energy Home Energy Savings: no-cost in-home energy assessment
Rebates and incentives open now 6 of 8 1 closed or fully reserved; 1 not open yet or without a posted status
Federal Home Energy Rebates Not open yet What that means here

Austin at a glance

Climate zone 2A

IECC 2021 climate zone for Travis County, TX. PNNL ↗

What it means: Hot and humid climate. Cooling and humidity drive your bills; attic ducts, AC health and outages drive comfort.

Heating and cooling 1,718 HDD · 2,996 CDD

Heating and cooling degree days, base 65°F, 1991–2020 normals at AUSTIN BERGSTROM AP, TX US (USW00013904). NOAA ↗

What it means: Cooling far outweighs heating here: summer bills, humidity and attic heat matter more than winter drafts.

Homes 1994 median year built

43.4% of occupied homes are owner-occupied. Austin city, Texas, 2020–2024 ACS 5-year. Census ↗

What it means: Homes from the 1980s and 1990s usually have insulation, but ducts, attic air leaks and aging heating and cooling equipment are common audit findings.

Radon EPA zone 3

low potential: predicted average below 2 pCi/L (Travis County, TX). EPA says not to use the zone to decide whether to test: high levels turn up in all three zones, so test every home. Radon testing guide · EPA ↗

What energy costs here

State Electricity¢ per kWh · July 2026 Natural gas$ per therm · 2025 average Propane$ per gallon · week of Oct 5, 2026
Texas 15.9¢ $1.87 $19.42 per thousand cu ft $3.10

What this means for your bills: Electricity in Texas is cheaper than the US average (15.9¢ against 18.3¢ per kWh), which keeps air conditioning and heat pumps cheaper to run.

  • Electricity: EIA’s average residential price, July 2026 (preliminary; released September 24, 2026). The U.S. average was 18.3¢ per kWh. EIA ↗
  • Natural gas: EIA’s 2025 average residential price per thousand cubic feet, which EIA says includes taxes and delivery, divided by 10.36 therms per thousand cubic feet (EIA’s 2025 average heat content of 1,036 Btu per cubic foot). A full-year average is used because summer months run far higher. EIA ↗
  • Heating oil and propane: EIA’s weekly residential prices, excluding taxes, for the week of October 5, 2026. EIA surveys them only in some states. EIA ↗

Hot and humid Florida, Texas and the Gulf Coast

What homes in Austin need

Cooling and humidity drive your bills; attic ducts, AC health and outages drive comfort.

Cooling and humidity drive your bills, and in slab homes the ducts often run through a hot attic. Comfort depends on an AC that is sized right, dries the air and keeps running, plus a house that can ride out outages, storms and the occasional hard freeze. A good audit starts with the ducts, the attic and the AC.

In Austin: Austin averages 124 days a year at 90°F or more, 24 of them at 100°F or more, plus about 33 freezing nights. Austin Energy's AC and heat pump rebates require a Manual J load calculation and replacing all system components.

What drives bills and comfort here

  • Cooling dominates: about 2,800 to 4,700 cooling degree days a year, and 91 to 124 days at 90°F or more.
  • Humid air: July dew points average 68–74°F, so your AC has to remove moisture as well as heat.
  • Most homes sit on slabs, so ducts and the air handler often run through the hottest space in the house, the attic.
  • Most homes heat with electricity, and long power outages are more common here than nationally.

Local risks to plan for

  • February 2021: 3–8 inches of snow fell along I-35, and temperatures stayed below freezing for days.
  • Hail: check roofs, skylights and outdoor AC units after storms.
  • Freezes: protect pipes in exterior walls and attics.

What to check first, and why

  1. Fix attic ducts and the air handler

    In slab homes this is often the biggest avoidable loss. Return ducts that pull in hot, humid attic air are a classic problem. Check leakage and insulation, and consider bringing ducts inside.

    Ask your auditor: Ask for a duct leakage test that measures leakage to outside, plus an attic check of duct insulation.

    Duct leakage testAttic inspection

  2. Control humidity, not just temperature

    Keep indoor relative humidity below 60%. An oversized AC short-cycles and leaves moisture behind, and AC breakdowns are the top reason homes here get too hot.

    Ask your auditor: Ask the auditor to log indoor humidity and compare your AC's size to a Manual J load calculation.

    Manual J load calculationMold and humidity check

  3. Cut attic heat: insulation and a radiant barrier

    ENERGY STAR suggests R30 (zone 1) to R49 (zone 2) for an uninsulated attic. A radiant barrier cuts attic heat flow by about 40%, typically 8–12% of cooling costs.

    Ask your auditor: Ask whether a radiant barrier fits your roof, and to seal attic air leaks before adding insulation.

    Attic inspectionInfrared (thermal) scan

  4. Block solar heat at the windows

    Single-pane and aluminum-frame windows are still common in this region. Low-SHGC glass, exterior solar screens and shading cut the heat coming in.

    Ask your auditor: Ask which windows take the most sun, and whether screens or shading would help before replacing windows.

    Infrared (thermal) scan

  5. Plan for outages, storms and freezes

    Long outages are more common here than nationally, from hurricanes, storms and the occasional hard freeze. A tight, well-insulated house holds its temperature longer.

    Ask your auditor: Ask how long your house would hold temperature in an outage, and where pipes could freeze in a hard freeze.

    Blower door test

  6. Check the pool pump, water heater and radon

    About one in six houses in this region has a pool, and its pump is a large, controllable load. Radon turns up in all three EPA zones, so test.

    Ask your auditor: Ask for pool pump and water heater advice, and test for radon; EPA says every home should be tested.

    Radon testEnergy bill analysis

Tests that matter most here

  • Duct leakage test Finds leaks in attic ducts and the air handler, measured as leakage to outside. Best timing: Any time. Do the attic inspection in the morning, before the attic heats up.
  • Blower door test Measures whole-house air leakage. With the house depressurized, an infrared scan shows leaks even at small temperature differences. Best timing: Hot afternoons with the AC on. To image insulation, run the AC a few degrees cooler for about 4 hours first.
  • Mold and humidity check Logging indoor temperature and humidity for several days shows whether your AC removes moisture. Aim for below 60% relative humidity. Best timing: Humid spring or fall days, when the AC runs less and humidity tends to climb.
  • Manual J load calculation A Manual J load calculation checks your AC's size against your house. Some utilities require one for rebates. Best timing: Before replacing your AC or heat pump.
  • Radon test EPA says to test every home, whatever its radon zone. Best timing: With windows and doors closed, before and after air sealing.

Upgrades that usually pay off here

  1. Seal and insulate ducts, or bring them inside. Options include a sealed attic or burying ducts in insulation. In humid climates, buried ducts must first be encapsulated in closed-cell foam to prevent condensation. A sealed attic needs a way to remove moisture.
  2. Right-sized variable-speed AC or heat pump. Sized with Manual J and Manual S, it runs longer, gentler cycles that pull more moisture from the air. Add a dehumidifier only if humidity stays above 60% afterward.
  3. Attic insulation plus a radiant barrier. Attic heat drives your cooling load and heats any ducts up there. A radiant barrier cuts attic heat flow about 40%. Install foil at the roof deck or rafters, not on the attic floor, where dust ruins it.
  4. Solar control at the windows. Low-SHGC glass, exterior solar screens and shading cut solar heat gain. Some utility programs, such as CPS Energy's Casa Verde, fund solar screens.
  5. Heat pump water heater in the garage. It cools and dehumidifies the space around it. It needs a space that stays between 40°F and 90°F.

Heating and cooling equipment

  • Southeast rules: a new split AC must be at least 14.3 SEER2 (13.8 for the largest sizes), based on installation date. EER2 shows efficiency on the hottest afternoons.
  • Heating loads are small, so a heat pump or AC with strip heat covers most winters. Where hard freezes come, check the heat pump's output at 17°F and size the backup heat for a multi-day cold snap.
  • Size with Manual J and Manual S, not a rule of thumb. Oversized systems short-cycle and leave the house humid.
  • Avoid exhaust-only ventilation: it depressurizes the house and pulls in humid outdoor air. Balanced ventilation, such as an ERV, avoids that.

Health and comfort

  • Mold and dust mites thrive in humid air. Keep indoor relative humidity below 60%, ideally 30–50%.
  • Long outages in summer heat are a health risk. Keep portable generators outside, away from windows and doors, because their exhaust contains carbon monoxide.
  • In flood-prone areas, ask the auditor about where your equipment sits and any signs of water intrusion.

Common mistakes in this climate

  • Plastic or vinyl wallpaper on exterior walls. On the inside of exterior walls, plastic or vinyl wallpaper traps moisture that humid outdoor air drives into the wall.
  • Oversized AC or rule-of-thumb sizing. Short cycles leave humidity behind. Insist on a Manual J load calculation.
  • Burying attic ducts without encapsulating them. In humid climates, ducts buried in insulation without closed-cell foam can sweat and drip.
  • Sealing the attic without moisture removal. A sealed attic brings ducts inside the envelope, but it needs a way to remove moisture.

When to book: Book in spring, before peak heat, so fixes are done by summer. Hot afternoons suit infrared, and humid spring or fall days show whether your AC dries the air.

Sources for this climate guide · checked October 26, 2026

Common problems in Austin homes

What each one usually means in this climate, the tests that confirm it and the fixes, cheapest first.

Utilities in the Austin area

Utility efficiency programs follow the company that delivers your power or gas, so check your bill before you book anything.

Electric

  • Austin Energy Community-owned electric utility, 'a department of the City of Austin.' It sells and delivers power, publishing its own residential rates including separate 'Rates for Outside the City of Austin', so its territory extends beyond city limits. It runs its own rebate, weatherization and ECAD programs. Source ↗

Natural gas

  • Texas Gas Service (a division of ONE Gas, Inc.) Natural gas utility serving 'nearly 711,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Texas.' Its office is in Austin, and ONE Gas lists Austin among its largest distribution markets. Source ↗

Austin Energy is city-owned. Under the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) rules, municipal utilities decide for themselves whether to opt into Texas retail electric choice, and Austin Energy sells power to its own customers at its own published rates. Austin Energy pays rebates itself, usually to the account holder or via the participating contractor's application. Parts of the 5-county MSA outside Austin Energy's territory are served by other utilities (electric co-ops, other municipal systems, and competitive-area wires utilities); their programs aren’t covered in this guide. Texas Gas Service has no efficiency rebates now. Its Energy Efficiency Program 'has expired, and rebate offerings are no longer available', and a proposed new program filed with the Railroad Commission of Texas 'was not approved.'

How to get a home energy audit in Austin

3 programs we track, open ones first. Prices are as each program publishes them. If you want a full diagnostic audit outside these programs, look for a certified auditor: how to find one and what audits cost.

ECAD home energy audit (required for most Austin home sales)

Private ECAD Energy Professionals registered with Austin Energy (RESNET Raters or BPI Building Analyst Professionals); program run by Austin Energy

Open In force. The ordinance was adopted Nov 6, 2008 and amended Apr 21, 2011. No 2024–2026 amendment is shown on Austin Energy's ECAD pages (last reviewed 03/14/2025).
Set by the auditor (about $200–$300)

Cost, as published Set by the auditor. Austin Energy estimates about $200–$300 for a typical single-family home of 1,800 sq ft or less with one A/C system.

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Who qualifies
Required for sellers of homes 10+ years old inside Austin city limits that receive Austin Energy electric service (see exemptions in localRules).
What you get
Audit of HVAC, envelope and ducts, attic insulation, windows, water efficiency, solar screens/shading and improvement opportunities. The auditor files with Austin Energy and gives the seller an Audit Certificate to attach to the Seller's Disclosure Notice. Valid 10 years.
How to book
Hire an ECAD Energy Professional from Austin Energy's list. Contact ecad@austinenergy.com or 512-482-5346.

Austin Energy Home Energy Savings: no-cost in-home energy assessment

Austin Energy, through Austin Energy participating contractors

Open · limits apply Open; 'Funding is limited and available only to Austin Energy customers on a first-come, first-served basis.' The page's last-reviewed stamp is 09/02/2025, yet it carries newer text (0% loan 'now through September 30, 2027').
Free

Cost, as published Free assessment ('no-cost, in-home energy assessment'). Upgrades are paid by the homeowner, less rebates; 0% financing is available.

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Who qualifies
Homes with Austin Energy electric service at residential rates: single-family, condos, townhomes, duplexes to fourplexes, and rentals (renters need written owner permission). Home must be 10+ years old; mobile and manufactured homes are excluded. Project must qualify for at least $100 in rebates. Excluded: asbestos in the HVAC system, imminent remodeling, spray-foam insulation. No repeat rebates for the same measure within 10 years.
What you get
A participating contractor assesses the home, recommends improvements and leaves an estimate, then handles the rebate (and loan) paperwork. Completing the upgrades earns a Home Energy Savings participation document that exempts the home from ECAD audit reporting at sale (City of Austin only).
How to book
Choose an Austin Energy participating contractor (Austin Energy recommends getting at least three estimates), or take Austin Energy's Home Energy Quiz. Questions: conservation@austinenergy.com, 512-482-5346.

Austin Energy Weatherization Assistance (free home energy assessment + upgrades)

Austin Energy, with participating contractors

Open · limits apply Open, first-come, first-served; applicants 'could be placed on a waiting list if the program reaches currently funded capacity.' Page last reviewed 10/01/2026.
Free Income-qualified

Cost, as published Free: 'weatherization improvements at no cost to qualifying customers.'

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Who qualifies
Austin Energy customers enrolled in the Customer Assistance Program, or in the Medically Vulnerable Registry and under 80% MFI (2026 limits: 1 person $68,500; 2 $78,250; 3 $88,050; 4 $97,800; 5 $105,650; 6 $113,450; 7 $121,300; 8 $129,100). Must live in a single-family home, duplex to fourplex, or mobile home that is more than 10 years old, 2,500 sq ft or smaller, with improvement value of $548,990 or less. No Weatherization or Home Energy Savings participation in the past 10 years. Owners and renters (with Landlord Permission Form).
What you get
A participating contractor does a home energy assessment, then installs attic insulation, duct repair/sealing, air sealing, solar screens, smoke/CO detectors, LED lighting, A/C inspection and cleaning, a smart thermostat, and reflective roof coating for mobile homes. Austin Energy does a final inspection.
How to book
Online Weatherization Assistance Program Form (English/Spanish) or mail the PDF to Austin Energy, Weatherization Assistance Program, 4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX 78723-3573. Questions: 512-482-5346, AEWeatherization@austinenergy.com.

Rebates and incentives now

8 offers we track for the Austin metro; 6 are open as of October 12, 2026. Many require the program’s own contractor or an audit first, so read the terms before you buy.

Whole-home upgrades 1 open of 1

Austin Energy Home Energy Savings (whole-home rebates + 0% financing)

Austin Energy, via participating contractors; loans through Velocity Credit Union

Open · limits apply Open, first-come, first-served. Conflict on the page: a banner offers the 0% loan 'now through September 30, 2027', but the loan table says the 0% rate runs 'December 1 – September 30, 2026'. Confirm the current rate with Velocity Credit Union (512-469-7060).

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Amount Rebates 'averaging $3,000 for qualifying projects.' Per measure: air infiltration and duct sealing $0.20/sq ft of floor area (mandatory); attic insulation to R-38 = attic sq ft × $0.03 × R-value added + $45 setup; duct replacement $3.25/linear ft; solar screens/film $1.00/sq ft (single-pane windows only); smart thermostat $50; A/C tune-up $175/system. Central/mini-split A/C $950 / $1,200 / $1,450 (tiers 1–3). Heat pump $1,000 / $1,300 / $1,600. Loans $1,500–$25,000, up to 120 months, minimum credit score 600.

Who qualifies Austin Energy residential customers in homes 10+ years old (not mobile/manufactured). At least three qualifying upgrades by a participating contractor; at least $100 in rebates. A new A/C or heat pump requires replacing all components and making all recommended improvements at the same time.

Insulation and air sealing 1 open of 1

Austin Energy Home Energy Savings Essential

Austin Energy, via participating contractors

Open · limits apply Open, first-come, first-served while funding lasts (page last reviewed 12/01/2025).

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Amount Rebates 'averaging $1,500.' Air infiltration and duct sealing $0.20/sq ft of floor area. Attic insulation to R-38 at attic sq ft × $0.03 × R-value added + $45 setup fee.

Who qualifies Same property rules as Home Energy Savings: Austin Energy residential service, home 10+ years old, participating contractor does the no-cost assessment and work, minimum $100 in rebates.

Heat pumps 2 open of 2

Austin Energy Air Conditioner and Heat Pump Rebate (standalone)

Austin Energy, via participating contractors

Open · limits apply Open, first-come, first-served. Contractor must apply within 90 days of installation. Page last reviewed 02/24/2026.

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Amount Central split or mini-split A/C: $600 (15.2 SEER2/12.0 EER2), $700 (17.0/12.0), $800 (18.0/13.0). Heat pump or heat-pump mini-split: $650 (15.2 SEER2/11.0 EER2/7.8 HSPF2), $750 (16.0/11.0/8.0), $950 (17.0/13.0/9.0). An extra $200 if the customer joins Home Energy Savings within six months.

Who qualifies Austin Energy customers replacing a system 10+ years old in a home 10+ years old. All components must be replaced, sized by Manual J (or AE guidance), with City permits. Systems with electric resistance heating elements don't qualify. Payment goes to the account holder by default; contractors can't receive it.

Austin Energy Heat Pump Water Heater Rebate

Austin Energy

Open · limits apply Open, first-come, first-served. Apply within 90 days of purchase. Page last reviewed 07/02/2026.

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Amount $1,000 for a qualifying ENERGY STAR certified heat pump water heater.

Who qualifies Homes with permanent Austin Energy electric service. ENERGY STAR hybrid/heat pump unit with Energy Factor 2.0+, 40 gallons or more, new, permitted, with at least a 6-year warranty on major components. Gas water heaters don't qualify. A replaced heat pump water heater must be 10+ years old.

Appliances and equipment 0 open of 1

Texas Gas Service Energy Efficiency Program (gas rebates)

Texas Gas Service

Closed Ended. 'The Texas Gas Service Energy Efficiency Program has expired, and rebate offerings are no longer available.' Its proposal for a new program 'was not approved, and as a result, Texas Gas Service is unable to offer a rebate program at this time.'

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Amount Not published

Other incentives 2 open of 3

Austin Energy Power Partner Thermostat

Austin Energy

Open · limits apply Open, first-come, first-served. Page last reviewed 02/01/2026.

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Amount $50 purchase rebate per new eligible smart thermostat (apply within 90 days; earlier $30 rebate for purchases before Nov 24, 2025). $75 bill credit per thermostat enrolled in Power Partner. $30 annual bill credit per thermostat while enrolled. Up to five thermostats.

Who qualifies Austin Energy customers with their own account (co-op and master-metered accounts excluded) and standard central A/C or heat pump controlled by an approved communicating thermostat (Alarm.com, Amazon, ecobee, Emerson, Honeywell Home, Nest).

Austin Energy Solar Screen Rebate

Austin Energy, via participating contractors

Open · limits apply Open, first-come, first-served. Contractor applies within 90 days. Page last reviewed 05/14/2024.

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Amount $1.00 per sq ft of eligible solar screen fabric (SHGC 0.40 or lower).

Who qualifies Austin Energy residential owners of single-family homes to fourplexes and rentals. Mobile homes, new-construction builders and contractors are excluded. No screen rebate at the property in the past 10 years.

Austin Energy Residential Solar Rebate

Austin Energy, via participating solar contractors

Unconfirmed Not stated (no open/waitlist/exhausted notice). Page last reviewed 10/01/2026.

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Amount '$4,000 rebate for eligible home solar projects.' Separately, production is credited at the Value of Solar rate of 12.89 cents per kWh.

Who qualifies Austin Energy customers. System 3 kW DC or larger, mostly unshaded, installed by an Austin Energy participating contractor. Must receive an Austin Energy Solar Rebate Confirmation Letter before installation.

Statewide rebate programs and federal options: rebates and programs.

Heat pumps in Austin → What a heat pump costs to run here for cooling and heating, each heat pump rebate with the equipment rule that decides which models qualify, and the certified systems and brands that suit the climate.

Federal Home Energy Rebates in Texas

The two federal rebate programs, HOMES (whole-home efficiency) and the high-efficiency electric home rebates (HEAR, renamed HEEHR in 2026), are run by each state, so availability depends on the state. DOE rewrote the rules effective May 29, 2026 (Program Notice 26-2 ↗): no more federal rebates for switching from gas, oil or propane to electric equipment, and insulation and air sealing come before heating and cooling upgrades unless a home already meets a state-set level.

Status for the Austin metro
Not open yet Texas hasn't launched either federal Home Energy Rebate program: HEEHR for electric appliances or HOMES for whole-home upgrades. Official page ↗ verified October 12, 2026

Program: Texas HOMES and HEAR Rebate programs (Home Efficiency Rebates, HOMES; Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates, HEAR)

Run by: Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, State Energy Conservation Office (SECO). Implementer: APTIM Federal Services, LLC, hired April 2026.

$690 million DOE allocation. HOMES will be open to all incomes; HEAR is limited to households below 150% of AMI. Rebate levels are not set, and HOMES levels are under DOE review. Projects completed before launch are unlikely to qualify.

StateHEAR / HEEHR (electric appliances)HOMES (whole-home efficiency)
Texas Texas rebate guide
Not open yet not launched (planning and design phase) Official page ↗ verified October 12, 2026
Not open yet not launched (planning and design phase) Official page ↗ verified October 12, 2026

How the programs work: Home Energy Rebates explained · every state’s status.

Help for lower-income households

Austin Energy Weatherization Assistance

Austin Energy

Free assessment and weatherization (insulation, duct and air sealing, solar screens, smart thermostat, safety detectors) for Austin Energy customers on the Customer Assistance Program, or on the Medically Vulnerable Registry and under 80% MFI ($97,800 for a household of 4 in 2026). Waitlist possible when funded capacity is reached.

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Weatherization Assistance Program, Travis County

Travis County Health & Human Services (the local Weatherization Assistance Program provider for Travis County)

Free weatherization (air infiltration reduction, solar screens, attic insulation, HVAC duct sealing) for Travis County residents. The timeline is '9 months to a year,' and eligible applicants go on a waitlist. Apply via the county's online pre-screening portal or at any of six Community Centers; help line (512) 854-7250. Check your bill or the utility’s website to confirm it serves your address.

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

WAP providers for the rest of the Austin MSA

Local agencies funded by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA)

Williamson County: Hill Country Community Action Association, Inc. Bastrop, Caldwell and Hays: Combined Community Action, Inc.

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

City of Austin home repair programs

City of Austin, Austin Housing

Safety Repairs and Modifications grants up to $20,000 (plumbing, electrical, mechanical; at or below 80% MFI, $106,800 for 4). Plumbing Repairs grants up to $15,000 (at or below 100% MFI). Home Rehabilitation Loan Program: 0% loans up to $75,000, or $350,000 for reconstruction, forgivable after 15–20 years. Start with the online Home Repair Interest Application; 512-974-3100, hpdcs@austintexas.gov.

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Local energy rules

1 of the 3 rules we found reaches ordinary homeowners in some way; it’s listed first.

Affects homeowners

Austin Energy Conservation Audit and Disclosure (ECAD) ordinance: homes at sale

Who it applies to Ordinary homeowners: YES when selling a home that is 10+ years old, inside Austin city limits and served by Austin Energy (condos in 1–4 unit buildings follow the residential rules).

Before sale the seller must either (1) get an ECAD home energy audit from a registered Energy Professional and give results to the buyer 'At least three days before the end of the option period or time of contract' (or at contract signing if there is no option period), or (2) show qualifying Austin Energy program participation in the past 10 years. Option 2 means Home Energy Savings, Weatherization Assistance, or rebates for three or more qualifying improvements or at least $500 in residential efficiency rebates. An audit is valid 10 years. Exempt: homes outside city limits or not on Austin Energy service; homes under 10 years old; manufactured homes on a permanent chassis; and transfers by foreclosure, short sale, eminent domain, family gift, court order/probate, or divorce. The ordinance was adopted Nov 6, 2008 (No. 20081106-047) and amended Apr 21, 2011 (No. 20110421-002). Austin Energy's pages describe no penalties.

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Not for ordinary homes

ECAD: multifamily properties (5+ units)

Who it applies to Apartment and condo properties with 5+ units, not single-family homeowners. Renters benefit from the disclosures.

Owners must have an energy audit in the calendar year the property turns 10 years old, valid 10 years. Results must be posted for current and prospective residents, given before any application fee is accepted and at lease renewal. 'High Energy Use' properties (more than 150% of average) must notify residents and reduce energy use by 20%.

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Not for ordinary homes

ECAD: commercial building benchmarking

Who it applies to Commercial buildings of 10,000 sq ft or more in Austin city limits on Austin Energy service. Does not apply to homeowners.

Owners must benchmark and report an energy use rating to Austin Energy 'by June 1st each year.'

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Notes worth knowing

  • In Austin, an ordinary homeowner faces an energy rule.
  • Selling a 10+-year-old home in Austin city limits on Austin Energy service triggers an ECAD audit-and-disclosure requirement.
  • Austin Energy estimates typical audit cost at $200–$300.
  • Doing a Home Energy Savings project (with its no-cost assessment) exempts the home for 10 years.
  • Texas Gas Service's rebate program has ended because the Railroad Commission did not approve its proposed new program, so Austin gas customers have no utility gas rebates.
  • Austin Energy's Home Energy Savings page gives two different end dates for the 0% loan (Sept 30, 2026 vs Sept 30, 2027).
  • Texas HOMES/HEAR rebates have not launched.
  • Current Home Energy Savings 0% loan end date; Austin Energy solar rebate funding status.
  • Confirm current amounts with the program before you buy.

Austin: common questions

How do I get a home energy audit in Austin?

Start with Austin Energy Home Energy Savings: no-cost in-home energy assessment. Run by: Austin Energy, through Austin Energy participating contractors. Cost: Free assessment ('no-cost, in-home energy assessment'). Upgrades are paid by the homeowner, less rebates; 0% financing is available. Who qualifies: Homes with Austin Energy electric service at residential rates: single-family, condos, townhomes, duplexes to fourplexes, and rentals (renters need written owner permission). Home must be 10+ years old; mobile and manufactured homes are excluded. Project must qualify for at least $100 in rebates. Excluded: asbestos in the HVAC system, imminent remodeling, spray-foam insulation. No repeat rebates for the same measure within 10 years. How to book: Choose an Austin Energy participating contractor (Austin Energy recommends getting at least three estimates), or take Austin Energy's Home Energy Quiz. Questions: conservation@austinenergy.com, 512-482-5346. We track 3 audit programs for the Austin metro, checked October 12, 2026; all of them are on this page.

Are the federal Home Energy Rebates available in Austin?

Texas hasn't launched either federal Home Energy Rebate program: HEEHR for electric appliances or HOMES for whole-home upgrades. Checked October 12, 2026. Nationally, DOE rewrote the rules effective May 29, 2026: federal appliance rebates no longer pay for switching from gas, oil or propane to electric equipment, and homes must get insulation and air sealing before heating and cooling upgrades unless they already meet a state-set level.

Is there help for lower-income households in Austin?

Yes. Programs for income-qualified households in the Austin metro include Austin Energy Weatherization Assistance, Weatherization Assistance Program, Travis County, WAP providers for the rest of the Austin MSA and City of Austin home repair programs. Each one’s rules and contacts are listed on this page, with a link to its official page.

Which local energy rules affect homeowners in Austin?

One rule reaches ordinary homeowners. Austin Energy Conservation Audit and Disclosure (ECAD) ordinance: homes at sale. Who it applies to: When selling a home that is 10+ years old, inside Austin city limits and served by Austin Energy (condos in 1–4 unit buildings follow the residential rules). 2 other rules apply only to larger buildings.

Can I claim a federal tax credit for an energy audit in Austin?

Not for an audit done in 2026. The federal credit of up to $150 for a home energy audit was part of the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C), and the IRS says it can’t be claimed for audits paid for or done after December 31, 2025. Public Law 119-21 ended 25C and the Residential Clean Energy Credit (25D) for 2026 work. An audit done in 2025 is claimed on the 2025 return (Form 5695).

Sources and checks

Every source below was opened and checked on October 12, 2026.

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