Bill Hoelzer
Bill Hoelzer’s been writing about residential energy efficiency and solar for the past decade. He works with GreenSavers and runs a company called Volta Strategies. Bill’s passionate about climate change and loves helping people find win-win outcomes - saving money while cutting carbon.
Featured Articles
If you’re like most people, you don’t think about your attic very often. Do you know what it looks like up there? If you don’t have enough insulation, adding insulation is the most cost effective upgrade most people can do to bring down their energy bills … READ MORE
If you’re thinking about installing a cooling system, you may be wondering whether it makes sense to install a heat pump or air conditioner. In this article, we break down the advantages and disadvantages of each system, so you can make an easier decision … READ MORE
Our client Brodie M. finally had enough. He lived in part of Deschutes County with no gas service, so he relied primarily on a pellet stove to heat his home through the winter. He got tired of feeding the stove all day, then waking up to a 50° house…READ MORE
Josh’s project shows that you don't always need to do a major project to see significant savings on your energy bills. By replacing his electric baseboard heaters with a ductless heat pump, he cut his energy bills in half. What's more, Josh used cash … READ MORE
Galen had a 22 year old furnace. He knew it had to go, and he wanted to add central AC. So it came down to this: Should he replace the gas furnace with another furnace and add AC? Or should he replace the furnace with pump for both heating and cooling? READ MORE
Heat pumps and ductless heat pumps are easy to operate. That said, they operate differently than furnaces and air conditioners. Here you’ll find the top 10 tips to maintain your ductless heat pump and get reliable, energy efficient performance … READ MORE
Heat waves require active management of your home. Here are the strategies that will give your AC the best chance of keeping up on hot days. If you don’t have AC, you’ll also find tips to make your home as comfortable as possible through a heat wave…READ MORE
See how GreenSavers helped a 1912 home in Bend, Oregon transition from gas to all-electric with a high-efficiency heat pump, heat pump water heater, and upgraded insulation. Air leakage was reduced by 70%, improving efficiency and indoor air quality. … READ MORE
Craig’s project shows that when your water heater is on its last legs, you don’t have to settle for a low-efficiency replacement. By upgrading to an efficient tankless water heater, he now has unlimited hot water, lower energy bills, and a system built to last … READ MORE
One of the most common complaints we get from 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 improve…READ MORE
If you have a net zero energy home, then you produce more energy than you consume in a year. Sounds great, but where do you start? How do go about making your home net zero. and what does it cost? We’re sharing the story of Ryan, Megan, and … READ MORE
GreenSavers is ranked as one of the 100 Best Green Workplaces in Oregon. The rankings from Oregon Business magazine are based on more than 15,000 anonymous surveys from employees across Oregon. Employees at GreenSavers reported … READ MORE
It’s not easy to compare options for heating and cooling. For example, an electric heat pump may be more efficient than a gas furnace, but gas is relatively inexpensive. Will you end up saving money on your energy bills? Here’s what to know … READ MORE
Here's how to know if you’re not ready for the winter here in Oregon: (1) A room or floor of your home gets consistently colder; (2) you notice drafts of cold air; (3) you see mold or condensation; or (4) your get ice dams (Central Oregon) … READ MORE
Net metering allows you to offset the cost of the electricity that you buy from your utility with renewable energy that you generate from your rooftop solar panels. If you generate more power than you need in a month, then you get credits that you … READ MORE
Vinyl windows last between 20 and 40 years. That’s a big range. A more interesting question - What factors lead to a longer lifespan for vinyl windows? This article explores the four factors that have the biggest impact on how long vinyl windows last … READ MORE
Which should you install first? Solar or a heat pump? If you have a limited budget, you have to prioritize. In this article, we'll share a few considerations to help homeowners choose between solar, heat pumps, and other home energy upgrades … READ MORE
The choice between foam board and cellulose comes down to this: How do you want to use your attic space? If you want to use your attic for storage or a new bedroom, go with rigid foam board insulation. If yon’t need the space, choose … READ MORE
Accounting for 17% of energy bills, water heating stands as the second largest energy expense for the average American. This article offers low and no cost strategies you can use to save energy in your bathroom and laundry room … READ MORE
We started with a 50-year old building that had fallen into serious disrepair. Now our new office stands as a showcase for energy efficiency in the Pacific Northwest. On display, you’ll find more than five styles of heat pumps, and so much more … READ MORE
If you’re thinking about spring cleaning and maintenance, please keep our tips in mind. The main takeaways: You’ll want to check your home for issues with ventilation and moisture damage, then prepare your AC or heat pump for the months ahead…READ MORE
The previous owners called the home office “the cold room.” Amanda and her family had just moved in, and she knew she couldn’t live this way. The windows let in so much cold air that it felt like “having air conditioning when you didn’t want it.” READ MORE
This article gives you an inside look at how a ducted heat pump works. Since 2007, we’ve installed hundreds of heat pumps for homeowners in Oregon. A heat pump can save 50% on energy bills compared to conventional systems. We’ll show you how…READ MORE
This article compares the costs and features of three leading window brands - Milgard, Andersen, and Marvin. Since 2007, we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners in Oregon choose the right windows for their homes. When choosing windows, it’s important to…READ MORE
Should you replace your gas furnace with an electric heat pump or install another furnace? What if want to cool your home in the summer? Is a heat pump your best bet, or are you better off with central air conditioning? Here’s our take: If the upfront cost…READ MORE
If you have older windows, you may notice issues like drafts or foggy window panes. Does it make sense to repair your windows or replace them? This article gives a rundown of when to repair older windows and when to install new ones...READ MORE
When we talk about insulation, we tend to focus on the end results, like lower energy bills, but the insulation materials get relatively little attention. Are all insulation materials created equal? Absolutely not. Here’s what to know about green insulation…READ MORE
In some important ways, winter is the best time to install windows in Oregon. In this article, we’ll review the most important considerations for when to install windows, focusing on what you should know about installing windows in the winter...READ MORE
Space heating stands out as the largest energy expense for most homeowners in Oregon, accounting for about 45% of the average energy bill. This article breaks down the pros, cons, and costs for the most efficient home heating systems in Oregon…READ MORE
You’re thinking about a ductless heat pump, but does it fit your budget? In this article, you’ll’ get an overview of the costs, energy savings, cash incentives, and available financing to install a ductless heat pump in Portland or Bend, Oregon. READ MORE