Carbon free home heating and cooling
Cities across the West, including Seattle and San Jose, are considering similar limitations on natural gas in new buildings. So what’s with the move away from natural gas? Our article this month gives an overview of the trend and describes the preferred…READ MORE
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How to maintain your home this winter
While it might feel a bit early to start thinking about winter home maintenance, you should be getting your checklist together as soon as possible. Having a plan sooner rather than later ensures you can call all the right professionals before the height of…READ MORE
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Seasonal changes for your home HVAC
Summer is waning and fall is approaching. As temperatures cool and the days shorten, the cooling load on your HVAC system will drop, and days will be moderate enough that you will not need heating. This is the perfect time to maintain your HVAC system…READ MORE
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Oregon’s ductless heat pump incentives
Energy efficiency is crucial not only for the environment but also for our own electric bills. Fortunately, you could possibly be paid to save by installing a ductless heat pump in your own home. What cash incentives are available for ductless heat pumps…READ MORE
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Energy efficiency at home and on the road
When it comes to choosing the best mode of transportation for a trip, we typically weigh speed, cost, and comfort. But what about the fuel efficiency? Here we compare the climate impact of five different ways to travel this summer. You might be suprised…READ MORE
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All your heat pump questions answered
What do heat pumps do? What is a ducted heat pump? What is the most effective way to heat my home? Could I be saving money? We get lots of questions about heat pump systems. Feel free to check out our answers to common heat pump questions…READ MORE
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Improve air conditioning with attic insulation
Insulation provides a barrier against air leakage. By preventing the release of both hot and cold air from the home (and the entrance of hot and cold air from the outdoors), your house is better able to maintain its temperature. This triggers a domino…READ MORE
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Ductless heat pump for your Portland home
Summer is fast approaching. Here are a few of the reasons to consider a ductless heat pump to help stay cool in Portland or Bend, Oregon: Ductless heat pumps are highly efficient, easy to install, quiet, and - most importantly – you get complete control…READ MORE
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How to keep cool upstairs this summer
One of the most common complaints we get from Portland homeowners – The upstairs is consistently hotter than the main floor in the summer, and it’s colder than the main floor in the winter. If this sounds familiar, check out our top recommendations to…READ MORE
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Double energy efficiency cash incentives
The Savings Within Reach program through Energy Trust of Oregon offers generous cash incentives for income-qualified homeowners in Oregon. And the income-qualifications work for most homeowners. You qualify if you earn less than $77,520 with…READ MORE
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Hot at home? Get a home energy audit
Having your home's energy use audited can go a long way to solving major problems, both financially and structurally within your home. Technicians will be identify energy saps, such as a lack of insulation, that you can then improve, reducing both your…READ MORE
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Cool ways to cool your home this summer
We're still dealing with snow, cold, and long winter nights, but summer -- and those scorching hot days -- is actually right around the corner. Being able to keep your home cool during those hot summer days and nights should be at the very top of your…READ MORE
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FAQ - Ductless heat pumps in Oregon
How do ductless heat pumps work? How do heat pumps save me money? Will I need an air conditioner too? If you’ve been wondering about ductless heat pumps, also known as mini-splits or mini-split heat pumps, check out this list of frequently asked…READ MORE
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Reduce ice dams with attic insulation
The key to preventing ice dams - keep your attic and roof cold. After a snowfall, a cold roof will have a thick blanket of snow. A warmer roof, however, will soon have clear spots where the snow has melted off. To keep your roof cold, here’s what to do…READ MORE
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Got mold in your home? Here’s what to do.
In this article, you’ll find an overview of how to handle mold. We walk through the basics of mold cleaning and prevention. We also touch on the latest research regarding the health effects of mold exposure, so you have context for how seriously…READ MORE
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Winter is the best time for wall insulation
When it’s cold outside, you may notice more drafts and cold spots in your home. That’s the bad news. The good news is that we can easily use thermal imaging to find gaps in wall insulation, identifying exactly where that cold air is entering your home…READ MORE
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How wildfire smoke can hurt your health
Smoke primarily consists of particulate matter in the air but it also contains a number of carcinogens. It's recommended that any particle pollution in the air should not be more than 150 micrograms for a healthy air quality. Breathing in these particulates…READ MORE
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Breathing cleaner air improves your life
"Most of us spend a lot of time indoors," Tim Heffernan said. "And indoor air is more polluted than outdoor air. It kind of comes down to what we have in our homes: pets, rugs, furniture that traps dust. And many homes are not terribly well ventilated."…READ MORE
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The risk of oversized home HVAC systems
It’s critical to make sure that your heating and cooling system is properly sized for your home. If your HVAC system is too large, you’ll waste energy, experience inconsistent heating and cooling, and shorten the life of your system. On the other hand, if your…READ MORE
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Protecting your home from an earthquake
To prepare for a major earthquake, start with a seismic inspection. You will better understand whether, for example, your home is properly bolted to the foundation; your gas line has an automatic shutoff valve; and your water heater is strapped to the wall…READ MORE
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