Home renovators who purchase an energy-efficient refrigerator, washer, dryer, or other qualifying home appliance may be eligible to receive a $50 to $200 rebate from the federal government. The money is available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act — also known as the stimulus package. But the bigger reward offers homeowners a tax credit that can add up to thousands of dollars for qualifying home improvements that increase energy-efficiency. Energy-efficient products are “not just... more

Working near electricity can make even the bravest soul a bit squeamish. No one enjoys getting accidentally “zapped,” especially if your project doesn’t involve any electrical work at all. There are times, however, when basic household repairs can place one close to live wires (example: behind a wall) whose precise location just can’t be foretold. Professionals have long taken precautions such as pulling the fuse or tripping the circuit breaker before a repair, and most will... more

Rising energy costs, increasing concerns about climate change, and an unprecedented financial incentive package in Oregon have made 2008 the time to go solar. Yes, Portland is sunny enough for solar. The rainy Willamette Valley gets the same amount of average annual sunshine as Germany, which leads the world in solar energy production. The typical solar electric system (also called photovoltaics or PV) in Portland produces around 20% to 30% of a home’s annual electricity needs. Photo... more

It’s no secret that the best place to go for lighting needs in Portland is Sunlan Lighting, Inc., a small, non-descript store on N. Mississippi Avenue, Portland, OR. While the windows of the shop display a jumble of lights, and a retro-looking sign bearing an image of a large, single bulb juts out of the top of the gray-shingled building, the exterior gives little indication of the treasures to be found inside. “We’ve been in this location for 17 years,” says owner Kay Newell. “And if there’s... more

The simplest thing everyone can do to make a difference in global warming is to replace incandescent lightbulbs with more energy-efficient compact fluorescent lightbulbs. These lightbulbs produce more light than heat with the electricity they use. As a result, they can provide the same amount of light as standard incandescent lightbulbs but use only one-quarter to one-third as much energy, and they last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. Compact fluorescent lightbulbs have come a long... more

You’ve chosen the lighting theme for your home – recessed and pendant lights in the kitchen, track lights in the living room, a vintage chandelier adorning the entryway, and an artful blend of wall sconces, table, and standing lamps adding character to every room. It’s time to throw the switch, but you’re still in the dark about what kind of light bulbs to choose. Does it really matter? Kay Newell, owner of Portland, OR-based Sunlan Lighting, says yes. Make a SAD Room Happier Do you feel... more

Statistics from the National Fire Protection Association and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reveal just how hazardous electricity can be to your health and household. Between 1994 and 1998, there were an average of 406,700 residential fires per year, approximately 69,000 (17%) of which were related to electrical distribution or appliances and equipment. Another 42,700 (10.5%) were related to heating and air conditioning systems. These combined to cause an average of 860 deaths, 4,785... more

Whether or not to change out the breaker box is a question many homeowners have faced. Age, period built, brand, maintenance, environment, and cost are just some of the factors to consider when making this decision. There are a few options for any upgrade, but it really comes down to the needs of the individual breaker box. In order to understand the needs for a service change, there are a few items within the service that need to be defined. An electrical service generally includes four major parts:... more