Home inspections: energy audits.

Existing law provides that it is the duty of a home inspector, as defined, who is not licensed as a general contractor, structural pest control operator, or architect, or registered as a professional engineer, to conduct a home inspection, as defined, with the degree of care that a reasonably prudent home inspector would exercise. Existing law provides that a home inspection may include an inspection of energy efficiency, if requested by the client. Under existing law, a home inspection report is a written report consisting of specified information that is prepared for a fee and is issued after a home inspection. Existing law requires the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission (Energy Commission) to establish specified standards related to a statewide home energy rating program for residential dwellings, known as the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Program. This bill would authorize a home inspection to include, if requested by the client, a HERS home energy audit that meets the requirements of the HERS regulations established by the commission. The bill would declare the intent of the Legislature that a HERS audit may, at the request of the client, be performed by a home inspector who meets the requirements of the HERS regulations.