Thurston County Home Energy Score Requirement: What Sellers Need to Know in 2026

Written By Joshua Heath
Thurston County Home Energy Score

If you’re planning to sell a home in Thurston County, Washington, there’s an important new requirement coming in the next year.

A recently passed ordinance will require sellers to obtain a Home Energy Score (HES) before listing their home. While the policy is not yet in effect, it will soon become part of the standard home-selling process across the region.

Understanding how this works and how it may impact your timeline can help you stay ahead and avoid surprises.

What is a Home Energy Score?

A Home Energy Score (HES) is a rating system that measures a home’s energy efficiency on a scale from 1 to 10.

A certified assessor evaluates:

  • Insulation

  • Heating and cooling systems

  • Water heater

  • Windows and overall construction

The score provides buyers with:

  • Estimated energy costs

  • A snapshot of efficiency

  • Recommendations for potential improvements

This gives buyers additional insight into the true cost of owning a home in Thurston County, beyond just the purchase price.

What Does the Thurston County Energy Score Ordinance Require?

Once implemented, sellers in Thurston County, WA will be required to:

  • Obtain a Home Energy Score before listing their home for sale

  • Share that score with buyers at the time of listing

Important details to consider:

  • No required repairs or upgrades

  • No minimum score required

  • The focus is on transparency for buyers

When Does the Home Energy Score Requirement Take Effect?

The timeline depends on the property’s location within Thurston County.

  • Unincorporated Thurston County:
    The ordinance has been adopted and is expected to take effect approximately one year after adoption, allowing time for implementation and training of certified assessors.

  • City of Olympia:
    A similar ordinance has been proposed with a target implementation date of May 1, 2026, though timing may continue to evolve as part of a coordinated regional rollout.

Because this policy is being implemented at both the city and county levels, the exact timing may vary by homeowner's location.

Why Thurston County Passed the Home Energy Score Ordinance?

This policy is part of Thurston County’s broader effort to:

  • Increase transparency in the housing market

  • Support long-term affordability

  • Reduce energy consumption through its Climate Mitigation Plan

  • Help buyers better understand the true cost of homeownership

  • Encourage energy-efficient improvements over time

  • Create more informed, confident purchasing decisions

The Home Energy Score acts as a consumer tool, helping buyers evaluate homes beyond price and appearance. While similar programs exist at the city level (such as in Portland, Oregon), Thurston County’s approach is one of the first at the county level, signaling a broader shift in how homes are evaluated.

What does this mean for Home Sellers in Thurston County?

For sellers, this introduces an additional step before going to market.

What to expect:

  • An upfront cost for a certified energy assessment

  • Scheduling the assessment prior to listing

  • A new data point buyers may consider

Potential benefits:

If your home has energy-efficient upgrades - such as updated windows, insulation, or HVAC - this provides a measurable way to highlight those improvements.

If your score is lower than expected, the report will include recommendations, allowing you to decide whether improvements make sense before listing.

Potential drawbacks:

  • Added time and cost before listing

  • Limited availability of certified assessors (especially early on)

  • A lower score may influence buyer perception

  • Another factor that could come into play during negotiations

As with most aspects of selling, the impact will vary depending on the home and market conditions.

What does this mean for Buyers?

For buyers in Thurston County and Olympia, this creates more transparency in the home search process.

Buyers will gain:

  • Insight into estimated energy costs

  • A better way to compare homes

  • Awareness of future upgrade opportunities

This may influence how buyers evaluate homes, not just on price but also on long-term affordability.

Like most shifts in real estate, this one will take time for the market to fully absorb — but that doesn’t mean you have to wait to prepare. Think of it as one more variable in your overall strategy, sitting alongside price, condition, and presentation. Its impact will vary by home and seller: for some, it will bring useful clarity to buyers; for others, it will simply be another data point in the negotiation.

What matters most is having a plan. Knowing where your home stands and how to position it effectively can make a real difference when you’re ready to go to market.

That’s exactly where a local real estate agent earns their value. They can help you get ahead of new requirements, price your home, and present your home with confidence, turning what feels like uncertainty into a clear, strategic advantage.

If you’re thinking about selling, don’t navigate this alone; reach out to a local real estate agent who knows your market and can build a plan around your specific home.

Whether you’re buying or selling, I work with both sides of the transaction to build a strategy that’s completely tailored to you. A customized plan built around your goals, your timeline, and your unique situation. If you’re ready to take the next step, I’d love to connect and put together a plan that works for you.


Joshua Heath