Using the resources below, you can help provide energy-efficient solutions to homebuyers and sellers while strengthening your own business.

Real Estate Professional Resources

• Earth Advantage Trainings and Resources

Home Energy Score Resources

• Oregon Department of Energy Home Energy Score
• Home Energy Score Ordinance

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EPS for Real Estate Agents

EPS isn’t just for builders. It also helps real estate professionals sell high-quality homes more quickly and explain to homebuyers what makes them so special. The following list highlights key benefits of EPS that real estate agents can use to sell efficient homes.

Comfort —Efficient heating and cooling equipment, and higher quality insulation and windows, are installed in EPS homes, so homeowners can expect a quieter, more comfortable home free of drafts.

Durability—EPS indicates that a builder has invested in quality construction techniques tested and verified by an independent third party to ensure proper installation and completion. For the homeowner, this means less risk of moisture damage, and less maintenance over time.

Health—Tight construction comes standard and helps prevent unwanted pollutants and drafts in the home, while properly sealed ductwork and mechanical ventilation ensures that air quality is always maximized. EPS homes also allow less dust in from outside—a great benefit in dry areas east of the Cascades.

Savings—All EPS rated homes have energy-saving equipment, lighting and appliances and are built with efficient construction techniques. Remind buyers of the lower operating costs of an energy-efficient home. Be sure to highlight the score and point out how much better an EPS home will perform over a home built to code.

EPS^™, brought to you by Energy Trust of Oregon, is an energy performance scoring tool that highlights the benefits of homes designed to deliver superior energy efficiency, comfort and health. Here’s what you can expect with an EPS rated home:

Quality and Comfort

• An EPS home is built more efficient than a typical newly built home.
• Special framing techniques allow for extra insulation to increase comfort.
• Third-party testing ensures quality.
• High-performance windows reduce noise and condensation.

Healthy Indoor Air Quality

• Tight construction prevents unwanted pollutants and drafts.
• Mechanical ventilation brings in fresh clean air.
• Proper ventilation reduces the risk of moisture damage.

Designed to Help You Save

• EPS sheet allows you to compare newly built homes based on energy use and estimated utility costs.
• Qualified homes include energy-efficient water heating solutions and appliances.
• Efficient heating and cooling equipment come standard, lowering the cost of comfort.

Learn more about the benefits of EPS.

View our fact sheets for more information on program offers for residential customers. If you would like to share the following pieces with your clients in printed format, please request copies from the New Construction team at eps@energytrust.org or 1.877.283.0698.

Smart Homebuyer Checklist
Find a Home That’s Built to Perform

Get Cash Incentives for Improvements

Cash incentives are available for energy-efficient home improvements like windows, insulation, smart thermostats, heating upgrades and more. View the complete list of Energy Trust incentives, connect with a qualified contractor and explore financing options.

Learn how to take advantage of these resources and learn more about improving the comfort and energy efficiency of your home by visiting our page.

Here Comes the Sun

After a winter of unseasonably cold temperatures, it’s good to look at how your home is performing. Extreme weather can reveal issues, like improper sealing around doors and windows, poor insulation, inefficient heating, and unhealthy indoor air quality. Here are some things to keep in mind this spring:

• Inspect Your HVAC System
  The key to comfortable and healthy indoor air is ensuring that your HVAC systems and building envelope are well maintained. If you experienced higher heating bills this past winter, you may want to have an HVAC professional inspect your heating and cooling systems. They’ll check thermostats, refrigerant levels and physical connections, and they’ll lubricate parts and change air filters. You can also discuss concerns about old HVAC systems and see if it’s a good idea to replace them. Make sure you hire a qualified HVAC professional by using Energy Trust’s Find a Contractor search tool.
• Flush Your Water Heater Annually
  Over time, sediment can build up in traditional tank water heaters. An annual flushing prevents this from causing problems long term. To flush your water heater, attach a garden hose to the valve at the bottom of the tank. (If you have a gas heater, you need to turn the burner to the “pilot” setting first.) Run the hose to a floor drain or outside your house; then open the water heater’s valve. Run water through the heater until it runs clear. If you have issues with hot water in general, now is a good time to consider upgrading to a new, more efficient water heater.
• Insulation Can Go a Long Way
  One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to protect your home from the chill of winter and heat of summer is to increase the amount of insulation you have. Properly insulated floors, walls and attics will reduce outside noise, save you energy, and lower heating and cooling costs. Leaky ducts should also be sealed and insulated to improve heating and cooling flows throughout the house. Energy Trust of Oregon even offers incentives to help pay for professional and DIY solutions. View our fact sheets for more information on program offers for residential customers. If you would like to share the following pieces with your clients in print, please request printed copies from the Home Retrofit team by calling 1.866.365.3526.

Make Your Home Weather Ready

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