Higher Efficiency New Construction Residence

Preexisting law requires a home builder to offer to a buyer of a new home one of the following:

• A solar panel system or a solar thermal system;
• To prewire or preplumb the home for these systems; or
• A chase or conduit to wire or plumb the home for these systems in the future.

The act requires the home builder to offer each of these options to the buyer and deletes these requirements for manufactured homes.

The act also requires a home builder to offer the following options to a buyer of a newly constructed residence, which is defined to mean a traditional detached, single-family home:

• An electric vehicle charging system; upgrades of wiring to accommodate future installation of an electric vehicle charging system; or a 208- to 240-volt alternating current plug-in located in a place accessible to a motor vehicle parking area;
• Efficient electric heating and water heating options; and
• Pricing, energy efficiency, and utility bill information for each option available from the builder.

The Colorado energy office must develop basic consumer education about leased solar installation and purchased solar installation in consultation with industries that offer these options to consumers.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)