Mar 29 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - The Oregonian, Portland, Ore.



These days, few homeowners have the thousands of dollars it would take for a whole-house energy makeover. In the shakedown of what does make the most sustainability sense, we asked local energy experts to list the top five green building renovations in Portland.

Here's what they had to say:

1) There's no digging into walls or floors or sexy solar panels, says Valerie Garrett, coordinator for the Regional Green Building Hotline. Homeowners start by addressing their space-heating issues and the single-most expensive energy cost: the gas bill.

Each winter, homeowners spend about 31 percent of their energy bill on space heating, says Garrett. That's why it makes sense to first replace the old forced-air gas or oil furnace with a newer, Energy Star-rated high-efficiency one. An energy efficient heating system combined with weatherization and insulation work best if they're done together.

 2) The next most popular green update for Portland homeowners is a new Energy Star-rated refrigerator. That appliance alone can gobble as much as 8 percent of the typical home energy bill, says Garrett. Plus you get $30 back from Energy Trust when you recycle your old one before Dec. 31. The average household's total appliance energy use (refrigerator, range, dishwashers, washing machine, dryers, etc.) is about 17 percent of a monthly utility bill.

"Appliances are very easy to tackle first because they're not invasive," says Garrett. "You can shop for them yourself."

Plus, there are cash incentives from Energy Trust and state and federal tax credits to help you choose the "right" appliances. For more information, go to the Energy Star web site, energystar.gov, and look at the ratings for all the recommended models.

Dave Brook, an energy analyst with the Oregon Department of Energy, says changes in behavior --how renters and homeowners manage and monitor their energy use --is the single most-important factor driving green building trends in Portland.

Brook says the best way to shop for a new refrigerator is to look at the yellow EnergyGuide label and check for ones with the lowest kilowatt-hour listing. Percent ratings can be misleading, he adds.

But don't let the Energy Star label justify a new stainless-steel 30 cubic-foot refrigerator. "Buy less stuff, period," he says. "If you don't need it, don't buy it."

3) Third on the list is upgrading the way your family heats water. The average household spends about 12 percent of its utility bill on heating water, Garrett says. Storage tank gas water heaters that burn all day long so you can have hot water when you need it are money-wasters. They are only about 60 percent to 65 percent efficient, while a new electric water heater, complete with built-in insulation, is up to 90 percent to 95 percent efficient, Garrett says.

On-demand gas tankless water systems for an entire household can cost up to $2,000 with materials and labor, and eliminate the wastefulness of heating water 24/7, but another option is to install a small, on-demand hot water heater under the sink by the shower you use most often. The rest of the home's water source can still be heated by a high-efficiency electric heater.

For homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, on-demand water heaters can be 24 percent to 34 percent more energy-efficient than conventional gas-powered storage-tank water heaters, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Electric tank-type heaters are better than gas, Garrett says, because green power can be purchased for electricity usage.

"Unless you're doing a major remodel, you'll probably stick with the fuel you've been using," Brook adds. "So buy the most efficient unit of the fuel-type you can afford."

4) High-efficiency front-loading washers are another quick, satisfying way to cut energy costs. There are also a couple of high-efficiency top-loaders that have an Energy Star rating.

They save water and energy and can also save on the amount of detergent you use. The new front-loaders have a high-speed spin cycle that get a lot of moisture out of clothes before they go in the dryer, which means less time and energy costs there as well.

In addition to tax credits, you can get a rebate for $150 to $180 for a new Energy Star-rated washing machine. Sorry, no cash incentives or tax credits for dryers.

5) More people are installing low-flow faucets and dual-flush toilets. The federal Environmental Protection Agency now has a new WaterSense label, (WS), for toilet and plumbing fixtures, Garrett says.

Wondering where you should start? Garrett advises every homeowner to begin with a home energy audit, which will show where to seal up air leaks and insulate to tighten your home's envelope to hold heat in and retain cool air in the summer.

The free Home Energy Review from Energy Trust of Oregon, available to those with gas or electric space heating, checks insulation levels, compares utility bills with similar households, educates homeowners about available energy upgrade incentives, checks water temperature and gives homeowners free compact fluorescent light bulbs.

Homeowners living in homes heated with oil, propane, kerosene, butane or wood may be eligible for weatherization incentives through the Oregon Department of Energy's State Home Oil Weatherization program.

-- Ruth Mullen

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