Jane and Paul - Going All Electric

Our 1925 stucco duplex in NE Portland has been a good investment with several upgrades over the years; insulation in the attic and the walls, double paned windows, storm doors.  It seems to be energy efficient.  Along the way, I asked contractors about converting to all electric.  ‘We don’t recommend fuel switching and your gas furnaces are pretty efficient’, was the response I got more than once.  Then in 2020, frustrated by the lack of legislative action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and my new knowledge that ‘natural’ gas is about 80 times more potent than CO2 at trapping heat in our atmosphere, I decided to look into going ‘all electric’ again. 

I found Balanced Energy Solutions through the Energy Trust of Oregon.  Greg Robinson managed the entire project.  Because this is a duplex, we installed two Mitsubishi heat pumps with ducted air handlers, two Rheem heat pump hot water heaters, two electric fireplace inserts, and wiring for the two new Kitchen Aid induction ranges I purchased.  None of this means anything without cleanly generated electricity.  Pacific Power still generates more than half of its power with methane gas and coal, but I’ve had their Blue Sky program for years.  Of the 780,000 Pacific Power customers in Oregon, 139,000 (17.8%) of us have the Blue Sky Renewable wind and solar program, for which we pay a small additional monthly fee. 

What did I learn?  Shop around.  One company was willing to add heat pump AC to my gas and fancy air purifying systems for the same cost I paid for all of the above heating and cooling equipment.  Get a reliable contractor who will get you the right size system and manage all of the subcontractors for you (electrical, plumbing, some carpentry and painting).  Check their references. Professionally applied weather stripping made the house even warmer.   Explaining how heat pumps extract extra warmth from outside air (even when it’s not warm outside), is best left to professionals.  I finally just called it ‘magic’. 

Our total electric cost now is less than the prior cost of gas and electric combined.  I haven’t set a kitchen towel on fire since I got the induction ranges and I love cooking on them.  The satisfaction I had when we disconnected the gas, even removing the connection at the streetside, is priceless.