You just bought an older Portland home... Now what?
It’s no secret, that the housing stock of the Pacific Northwest is quite old, outdated, inefficient, and in many cases filled with lead paint and asbestos-filled walls. Many of the homes sold in the Portland Metro area score a 1 out of 10 on the required Department of Energy Home Energy Score Assessments, and due to the lack of knowledge of tax incentives and utility rebates, most of the energy-efficient recommendations made by the assessment go unfulfilled. Despite the uphill battle to renovate and maintain these older homes, in this current housing market, many home buyers are jumping at the chance to get into a home.
Now, these houses aren’t all bad — featuring beautiful cedar hardwood flooring and amazing pieces of structural timber from a different era, but despite these lasting features, the homes certainly do need more than a fresh coat of paint. While it may be tempting to completely tear down and start anew, considering a gut rehabilitation of these existing homes can be more cost-effective than a total redo, often through the permitting process, and, for what it’s worth, are a more environmentally friendly option due to preserving the existing structure.
As many new homeowners are considering purchasing and renovating these treasured PNW homes, considering the following building construction strategies to improve the performance, comfort, and durability of your future renovation
Install Ductless mini-split HVAC systems
Air-seal and insulate (weatherize) attic spaces.
Air-seal and insulate crawl spaces/foundation areas and exterior walls
Installing an ENERGY STAR rated heat pump hot water heater
Installing a mechanical fresh air ventilation system
If you're considering a major renovation in the Pacific Northwest renovation, give NWEC a call. We can consult your general contractor on specifications that will lead to a more comfortable, efficient, and healthy renovated home.
