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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HVAC systems: A look at air conditioning
It’s a general rule for most people: it is much easier to warm up than it is to cool down. The reason for this is energy. The body naturally creates energy, which is a heat source. As such, taking away this heat is considerably more difficult than generating it in…READ MORE
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Clients fight climate change in Oregon
How are our clients reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting themselves from, for example, more extreme heat waves and wildfire smoke in Oregon? In the last twelve months, clients completed projects saving an impressive 488 metric tons of…READ MORE
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The cost of solar panels continues to drop
The cost of solar power has dropped dramatically in recent decades: Between 1975 and 2015, the cost of photovoltaic solar modules declined by roughly 99 percent. Here we review a few of the reasons that solar has become so much more cost effective…READ MORE
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3 reasons to consider a heat pump system
As you watch the skies darken a little earlier every evening, and feel the winds chill you on the morning walk to your car, you remember that winter is on its way. The blustery season can be a massive drain on your finances, causing energy bills to sky-rocket in…READ MORE
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Energy audits explained: Here’s what to know
Energy costs are one of the biggest monthly expenses you'll face as a homeowner, especially here in the Pacific Northwest -- heating and cooling are responsible for around 54% of utility bills in the average hom. A home energy audit is typically the first step…READ MORE
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Fall home performance checklist
This has to be one of the best times of year. The summer heat has passed, and winter weather hasn’t come...yet. It’s the right time to do some basic home maintenance to get ready for the months ahead. Here are the items at the top of our list to get done…READ MORE
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3 ways to get your furnace ready for winter
Picture this: The temperature drops. You decide you've held off long enough - It's time to turn on the heat. You head over to your thermostat, bare toes on the cold floor and crank the dial to 71 degrees. You wait for the warmth, but nothing happens…READ MORE
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Reduce wildfire smoke with your HVAC system
Wildfire smoke is nasty. We're talking about thousands of individual compounds, many of them toxic and small enough to enter your bloodstream. Here we walk through a few of the best ways to protect your home from wildfire smoke with your HVAC system…READ MORE
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It’s critical to install the right size furnace
If you install a furnace that is too large for your home, you will experience a condition called short-cycling. Your furnace constantly cycles on and off, over-heating your home then cooling down below the set temperature. On the other hand…READ MORE
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What’s the best way to cool your home?
As the temperature climbs, you have plenty of options to stay cool - from a ductless heat pump to a ceiling fan and everything in between. Here we review the most important things to know about popular cooling systems in Portland and Central Oregon…READ MORE
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Cash incentives for heat pumps in Oregon
We're fortunate to have robust cash incentives and financing for heat pumps in Portland and Central Oregon. Incentives range from $250 to $1,850. Here’s an overview of what’s available from Energy Trust of Oregon, Central Electric and Midstate Electric…READ MORE
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