Image: Residence in Richmond neighborhood, built by Greenhammer Design Build.
Electrify LO has lauded the benefits of clean, renewable energy in the home through electric heat pumps and solar energy. It also pays to consider other home energy upgrades that reduce energy waste such as sealing air leaks, adding insulation, or upgrading windows.
Reducing Home Energy Loss
According to ENERGY STAR, homeowners in Lake Oswego save, on average, 20% on their heating and cooling bills after adding insulation and sealing air leaks. These upgrades also reduce other costs by reducing the size of your heat pumps or the number of solar panels you install.
Homeowners can also reduce the cost through financial incentives. Current incentives can save you up to $1.50 per square foot for insulation from Energy Trust of Oregon (ETO), provided you use an ETO-allied contractor. You can get an additional 30% federal insulation tax credit, up to $1200.
As an added benefit, insulation will reduce outside noise and keep you more comfortable by reducing swings in temperature.
Blower door tests to determine how much air is leaking out of your home
Thermal infrared camera tests to determine where the leaks are
Duct blaster tests to measure leaks in the duct work
Air quality tests
Passive Home Design
For more extensive retrofits and especially for new homes, energy use can be reduced using passive house design, a type of energy efficient building construction which dramatically decreases the need for heating and cooling.
Image: Willamette Heights craftsmen, built by Greenhammer Design Build.
Net zero homes use many of the elements of passive homes. They are air-tight and well-insulated with high-performance windows that prevent energy loss.
Image: Going Street Commons, 11 certified Net Zero Energy Ready homes designed by Birdsmouth and built by Greenhammer.
