April 2022 Newsletter: Energy Efficiency in Residential Homes

Hi ,

This month our focus is Energy Efficiency in Residential Homes. We've got some useful information for you on this topic and related industry buzzwords, such as "green homes," "Home Energy Scores," "weatherized homes," and more. Check out our article below to get started making your home more sustainable to help conserve energy, respect the environment, and save money on your monthly utility bills.

We hope you'll join us Thursday, April 28th, from 4:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. as Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest holds their "Girls Night Out" event. They've got all kinds of fun networking activities in the works, and it's all in person this year. It's a great way to support Girls Inc. and our youth to grow up healthy, educated, and independent.

If you're looking for professional roofing services this spring or summer, we recommend Tom Leach Roofing, a locally-owned company with over 30-years of experience. They cover everything from total roof replacements to minor repairs. Visit their website today to view completed projects and set up an initial consultation.

As always, reach out to me with all your real estate needs,

How Can I Make My Home More Sustainable?

When you make your house more sustainable, you're making a contribution to improving the environment. But that's not all. Home sustainability can lower the cost of running your home, saving energy, water, and maintenance on systems and appliances. Even more than that, you create a healthier environment for yourself, your family, and your pets.

What is a Sustainable Home?

A sustainable home is an efficient home that's built or retrofitted in a way that respects resources, optimizes energy and water use, and will last longer with quality systems.

Sustainable homes use low-impact, high-performance materials. They're efficient in terms of manufacturing, shipping, and installation. Because high-quality materials and systems break less and last longer, they waste less.

Getting Started

Check out Energy Trust of Oregon Inc., a company that helps Oregon residential, business, and nonprofit utility ratepayers use less energy, save on energy costs, and move to renewable resources. They're currently offering an $80 coupon for a smart thermostat in three easy steps:

1. Choose your qualifying thermostat
2. Verify you’re an eligible utility customer
3. Receive a coupon code by email and use it at checkout

Learn more >

Here are some ideas that can make a big difference in making your home more sustainable:

Invest in Energy-Efficient Appliances. Suppose you've got an old appliance from the '70s that won't die, such as a refrigerator. In this case, it's understandable why you haven't replaced it. Even though it will last forever, it is a hog. It consumes energy like you cannot believe, and the stuff in it is terrible for the environment. Consider getting new energy-efficient appliances to replace those old energy guzzlers.
Use LED Lightbulbs. LED lights use way less energy, are compact, and virtually last forever. They're also much better for the environment -- not when you throw them away, but when you're using them -- to be precise.
Turn Up Your Refrigerator and Freezer One Degree. Your food and beverages will not be any different; however, your energy bill definitely will.
Turn Down Your Thermostat. My mother always used to say, "Put on a sweater!" In my case, it was, literally, "Put on a coat!" Using conservation efforts like these may seem mildly annoying in the beginning; however, we all have the ability to acclimate to our environment. It's also an excellent excuse to cozy up on the couch with a blanket!
Add Insulation to Your Home. Adding insulation to your home, especially if you don't have any, can make a big difference in your energy efficiency. You can blow insulation into your attic, crawl space, and basement. You can also insulate your hot water lines. Costs are generally $5k or less to add insulation. It's by no means inexpensive; however, it can be cost-effective in the long run.
Install Indo Windows. New windows don't raise the energy efficiency of your home that much. Of course, they're beautiful, and you can spend an ungodly amount of money on triple-pane, wood-clad windows. You don't really need to do that. In Portland, there's a company called Indo Windows. They manufacture super flexible storm windows that you install on the interior. I've recommended them to plenty of my clients, especially if they have charming, beautiful windows and want to increase energy efficiency.

Would you like more ideas to make your home more sustainable and energy-efficient? Reach out to me at claire@parisgrouprealty.com or (503) 998-4878 -- I'd love to discuss this topic in-depth and share more of my ideas with you!

Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest & Girls Night Out*

Mark your calendars! Join us and Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest for an evening of fun and fundraising at the upcoming Girls Night Out event!

Networking and fun activities will be plentiful as we come together in person for the first time in more than two years- raising funds supporting our research-based programs and experiences that help youth grow up to be healthy, educated, and independent.

When: Thursday, April 28th from 4:30p-9:00p
Where: Castaway Portland | 1900 NW 18th Ave, Portland, OR 97209

We are proud to sponsor this year’s fundraising event and hope to see you there.

For more information and to purchase event tickets, visit: www.girlsincpnw.org/GNO

*Proof of vaccination is required at event check-in.

Tom Leach Roofing

Spring cleaning shouldn’t just include the interior of your home. In fact, it’s a good idea to schedule regular cleaning and maintenance of your exterior as well.

One of the most important and yet often overlooked aspects of exterior home maintenance is our roofs. Between falling debris, rain, and wind here in the Pacific Northwest, our roofs take a hit. That’s where our friends at Tom Leach Roofing come in.

With over 30 years of experience, Tom Leach Roofing is well versed in all things roofing. From full roof replacements and repairs, to additional maintenance services to safely clean and restore, their team can help you determine what’s best for your roof. They even have options for bringing some sunshine into your home through skylights and sun tunnels.

So, if you think you might be due for a new roof, have moss building up on your shingles, suspect a leak, or are looking for ways to bring in more light, give Tom Leach Roofing a call: (503) 238-0303. Their website is also a great resource with FAQ’s, testimonials, and photos and videos of their completed projects.

I'm thrilled to be named real estate market leader and receive the Five Star Professional award for the 10th year, as seen in the recent issue of Portland Monthly magazine.

As principal broker and owner of Paris Group Realty, LLC, I am dedicated to helping you establish wealth through property ownership.

Experience my thoughtful and personal approach to real estate and let's make all your real estate dreams come true!

See My Five Star Professional Magazine Profile E-reprint >

Considering Buying or Selling a Home?

With summer just around the corner, now is a great time to start planning your next move -- whether you're thinking about selling your home and relocating, or are in the market to buy a home in the Portland Metro area.

Maneuvering this fierce seller's market takes the expertise and skill of a professional, and I'm here to provide you honesty, compassion, and tough negotiation skills to get you into contract.

Reach out to me at (503) 998-4878 or claire@parisgrouprealty.com and let's get started today!