Senior Veteran Resource Center › Helpful Resources › Eco Friendly and Energy Efficient Homes
An energy efficient home is more comfortable, costs less to run, and handles our Northwest weather better, from winter storms to summer heat waves and wildfire smoke. For retirees on a fixed income, lower utility bills can make a real difference. Here's what to look for, and the local programs that can help.
6 Things to Know About Eco Friendly Homes
What Makes a Home Energy Efficient
Good insulation and air sealing, efficient heating and cooling, quality windows, and efficient water heating do most of the work. Ductless and ducted heat pumps are popular in the Portland area because they heat in winter and cool during summer heat waves.
Portland's Home Energy Score
Sellers of most single family homes inside Portland city limits must get a Home Energy Score and report and include it in their listing. The score, from 1 to 10, works like a miles per gallon rating for homes and helps you compare energy costs before you buy.
Energy Trust of Oregon Incentives
Energy Trust of Oregon offers incentives for insulation, heat pumps, water heaters, and more for customers of participating Oregon utilities. Some programs offer higher incentives for income qualified households.
Clark County Programs
In Clark County, Clark Public Utilities offers energy efficiency programs and rebates for customers. Requirements and amounts change, so check before you start a project.
The VA Energy Efficient Mortgage
A VA Energy Efficient Mortgage lets veterans add the cost of qualifying energy improvements to their VA loan when buying or refinancing, such as insulation, a new heating system, or solar.
Beyond Energy
Eco friendly living also means water saving fixtures, low maintenance native landscaping, durable materials, and a location where you can walk or use transit for some errands.
The bottom line: An energy efficient home pays you back every month in lower bills and better comfort. Look at the Home Energy Score when buying in Portland, check Energy Trust or Clark Public Utilities programs before upgrading, and ask about the VA Energy Efficient Mortgage. I'm happy to help you compare the true monthly cost of any home you're considering.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Home Energy Score?
It's a 1 to 10 rating of a home's expected energy use, like a miles per gallon rating for homes. In Portland, sellers of most single family homes must get one and include it in their listing.
Do sellers in Vancouver or Beaverton need a Home Energy Score?
No. Portland's requirement only applies to homes inside Portland city limits. Ask sellers in other areas for recent utility bills instead.
What is a VA Energy Efficient Mortgage?
It lets veterans add the cost of qualifying energy improvements to a VA purchase or refinance loan. Ask your VA lender for details.
Are heat pumps a good choice in Portland?
Many homeowners find they are. Heat pumps provide efficient heating in our mild winters and cooling during summer heat waves.
Are there incentives for energy upgrades?
Yes. Energy Trust of Oregon offers incentives for customers of participating Oregon utilities, and Clark Public Utilities offers programs in Clark County. Federal tax credits changed in 2025, so check current rules with a tax professional.
Does energy efficiency affect home value?
It can. Lower operating costs and better comfort appeal to buyers, and a strong Home Energy Score can help a home stand out in Portland listings.
Search Homes in Portland and SW Washington
Start with single level homes, or browse condos and homes near family across the Portland metro, or across the river in Vancouver, Camas, and Battle Ground. Save your favorites and I'll help you narrow them down.
More Veteran Guides on This Site
Keep Reading
Aging in Place: Home Changes, Checklist, and Support
Room by room changes, helpful technology, and the support that makes staying home work.
Read more ›Home Financing and Planning After 55
Mortgage myths, qualifying on retirement income, reverse mortgages, and working with an advisor.
Read more ›Senior Resource Directory for Portland and SW Washington
Aging services, transportation, meals, and support for seniors and caregivers.
Read more ›
Meet Your Veteran Realtor
Troy Doty, Principal Broker
Troy Doty is a Principal Broker with Northwest Realty Source in Portland, with 25 years in real estate and over 1,000 homes sold across the Portland metro and SW Washington. As a Marine Corps veteran, Troy has a true passion for helping Portland veterans and active duty military families buy and sell homes, whether you're PCSing in, transitioning out, buying your first home, investing in a duplex, triplex, or fourplex, or right sizing later in life.
Schedule a Call or Video Meeting ➜ More About Troy ➜ Free Veteran Buyer E-BookPrefer to call or email? 503.997.4169 · troy@nwrealtysource.com
Troy Doty, Principal Broker, Northwest Realty Source. Licensed in Oregon and Washington. ABR®, MRP, and SRES® are credentials of the National Association of REALTORS® and its affiliates. CIAS™ is a designation of U.S. Realty Training. Content adapted in part from SRES® consumer resources. This page is general information, not legal, tax, or lending advice.
