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Increase Your Home Energy Score for less than $50

Increasing your home energy score and saving money is pretty easy. In fact, the most effective things you can do are the cheapest. We've put together a list of home energy improvements you can do to significantly increase your energy score and save a little money.
Increasing your home energy score and saving money is pretty easy. In fact, the most effective things you can do are the cheapest. We've put together a list of home energy improvements you can do to significantly increase your energy score and save a little money.

Remove Gaps in Insulation:   Cost = $0,   Efficiency Boost ~50-250%

Removing gaps and cracks in insulation can increase its efficiency up to 250%. Often times you can move insulation around to fill the gaps. If the gaps are too big, you'll have to spend a little money on more insulation. 
Caution:
  • Do not put insulation near old canned lights or cover any knob and tube wiring because doing so can create a fire hazard. 
  • If you have vermiculite insulation it may contain asbestos and should not be disturbed until it has been tested.
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Correctly Installed Insulation

Limit Conditioned Areas:   Cost = $30,   Efficiency Boost ~5- 30%

Heating vents in areas such as unfinished basements and garages increase your heating bill and lower your home energy score by up to 30%. Even if the vents are "closed" or temporarily sealed you are still loosing energy.   

​What to do: 
  1. Remove and permanently seal vents  in all areas of the home that are unfinished and not regularly used as living space. 
  2. Seal the ducts in this area with mastic paste to reduce duct leakage. See notes and illustration below. 
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Seal Ducting:   Cost <$50,   Efficiency Boost ~20-30%

On average a home looses 20-30% of its heat from unsealed ducting. 

​What to do:
  1. Mastic paste should be brushed on everywhere ducts are connected to permanently seal air leaks. Brush on mastic is a dirty job so be prepared.
Note: The City of Portland Home Energy Score Program only considers ducts "sealed" if they are sealed with mastic paste, not mastic tape.
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Brush on Mastic Duct Sealing
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Mastic Tape for Duct Sealing

Insulate Your Attic Access Panel:   Cost = $10,   Efficiency Boost <5%

A lot of heat is lost through an uninsulated attic access panel. And, it's an easy fix.

​What to do:
  1. We recommend gluing a piece of solid foam to the back side of the access panel. You don't need anything fancy for this job. 
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Contact 
​(503) 567-5551
[email protected]

​
Copyright Portland Home Energy Score, LLC 2018   
​CCB License #214875
      
  • Portland Home Energy Score
  • SERVICES & PRICING
    • HOME ENERGY SCORES
    • COMPREHENSIVE FLOOR PLANS
    • 3D VIRTUAL TOURS
    • HOME ENERGY SCORE / FLOOR PLAN / 3D TOUR PACKAGES
  • News & Education
  • Increase Your Energy Score
  • Contact Us
  • Employment
  • Cash Incentives
  • Understanding Your Home Energy Score
  • Portland Requirements
  • Save Energy
  • Classes
  • Assessor Partnership
  • FAQ
  • Info For Realtors