Public comments: Energy efficiency audits and appliances

[bkengland]

1. Energy efficiency audits should be required, within a short
timeframe, for all multifamily rental housing (including longterm and
shortterm temporary housing and motels/hotels). Costs should not be
borne by tenants. It may in some cases be necessary for the City to
provide funds for this, possibly from a temporary increase in the
utility tax.

2. Following up on the audit results, we need to find a way to get
energy-efficient appliances (I suspect particularly refrigerators),
weatherstripping, additional insulation, into these units. There
should be a mechanism for electricity bill savings to be used for
payback, even if the up-front cost much be borne by the City (see
above). Cooperation of both landlords and tenants will be needed;
appropriate incentives should be designed for each.