Homeowner Michael Williams is planning to put his North Austin house on the market in a few weeks. But first he's reluctantly getting a soon-to-be-required energy efficiency audit.

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KVUE's Steve Alberts reports

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"I don't really feel it's that necessary," he said.

Starting June 1, Austin's energy efficiency ordinance will go into effect. The city council passed it in 2008. The audit costs about $300 and goes up depending upon the size of your home.

Susan Marler owns Energy Action. Her company has been certified to perform energy audits. She says training, time and equipment are the main reasons for the audit costing a few hundred dollars.

"The training is about $2,000. You also have to add insurance and equipment costs," she said.

You'll have to have an audit if you are selling a home that is 10 years or older, you receive power from Austin Energy and your home is within Austin city limits. Some exemptions will be given.

Auditors will look at four main criteria: windows, insulation, ductwork and air filtration. Each section of the audit will include recommendations on ways to improve the energy efficiency of the home. The sellers won't have to make the repairs, but they will have to give the report to a potential buyer. Once you get the audit done, it is good for 10 years.

For more information about the audit, go to www.austinenergy.com/.