Only two weeks left to attend the 2010 NW Natural Street of Dreams. Click on the image below to download your discount coupon.
Ultimate Open House
Time is Ticking on Tankless Water Heater
June 22, 2010
For homeowners thinking of investing in a tankless water heater, it’s time to turn that idea into action. From now until August 31, 2010, NW Natural customers can receive more than $2,200 in incentives toward a purchase that provides endless hot water, saves them money and is environmentally friendly.
NW Natural customer Jim Shores of Forest Grove made the purchase and couldn’t be happier. Jim’s wife, Amy, loves to take long showers so Jim researched natural gas tankless water heaters and settled on a Rinnai.
“Energy efficiency never felt so good,” said Shores. “It’s a great investment, good savings, and we’ve upgraded the value of our home.”
The deal
NW Natural has teamed up with Rinnai and Energy Trust of Oregon to offer NW Natural customers in Oregon and Washington up to $2,240 back with the installation of a Rinnai tankless water heater. The following are the incentives and tax credits for changing a tanked water heater to a Rinnai tankless water heater:
- $200 gas credit on their NW Natural account, courtesy of a participating Rinnai dealer;
- $200 cash rebate from Energy Trust of Oregon for installation of a tankless water heater with Energy Factor of 0.80 or greater;
- Up to $340 Oregon tax credit (25% of installation and equipment costs), with installation of a tankless water heater with an Energy Factor of 0.80 or greater (OR customers only);
- Up to $1,500 federal tax credit for installation of a tankless water heater with Energy Factor of 0.82 or greater.
Relax, it’s a Rinnai
With Rinnai tankless water heaters, there’s no tank to leak or break, thus reducing the risk of flooding. Plus, Rinnai offers a line of controllers that make it easy to set water temperatures precisely for multiple locations in the home to ensure comfort and prevent scalding accidents. Rinnai tankless water heaters heat water on demand, so users aren’t limited to a fixed preheated supply as with a tank.
With up to $2,240 back in gas credits, rebates and tax credits, and the lowest natural gas prices in five years, enjoying a Rinnai natural gas tankless water heater is really affordable. Customers can enjoy hot water when they want it, for as long as they need it, so taking showers, washing dishes and doing laundry can be done all at the same time.
Details on participating dealers and information on cash rebates found at nwnaturaloffers.com and energytrust.org.
Ultimate Open House Realtor Day
April 2, 2010
April 6, 2010
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Guidebooks will be available at all five host sites
Lunch will be served free of charge courtesy of NW Natural at The Encore
Realtors–don’t miss this opportunity to get a jump start on Portland’s largest new construction tour of homes before the general public. Also enjoy a delicious lunch courtesy of NW Natural at The Encore downtown in the Pearl. Pick up your Ultimate Open House Guidebook there along with an entry form for a $250 Nordstrom gift card. Enter to win by bringing a client back with you to the show.
BUILT TO LAST: Well-made homes endure the test of time
June 21, 2009
By Kara Cogswell, The Oregonian
In this market, affordable homes abound.
But price is only part of what makes a home a good value. If you want a home that you’ll love today and 20 years from now, seek out high-quality materials, a breathable moisture barrier, and thoughtful building and maintenance, say people in the homebuilding industry.
“One of the things I believe in is that you get a feel for a home, whether it’s been maintained or not,” says Susan Walker, board president for the Oregon Association of Home Inspectors. “I really encourage people to look at a lot of houses, because you’re gonna get a feel. Don’t be afraid to turn the water on, open the cabinets.”
Standing in her Southwest Portland kitchen, Walker makes her point by swinging open one of the original white cabinet doors. She knocks on it, and the sound is solid — the cabinets are made of wood. In many newer homes, she says, the cabinets are made from lower-quality particleboard or medium-density fiberboard. The problem with those materials, she says, is that moisture can seep into them after just a couple of years if they’re not properly sealed.
In cabinets and elsewhere, high-quality materials are essential for a well-constructed home, say experienced builders such as Jerry Reeves, owner of J.C. Reeves Development & Construction, who has been building homes in the Portland area for more than 30 years.
Reeves’ luxury homes are rich in wood and stone, which he says are superior to processed materials because they don’t contain toxic chemical compounds such as formaldehyde and they require little maintenance, aging gracefully for decades and even centuries.
“Quality materials to me means natural products,” says Reeves. “It’s kind of like with food — we (say) you shouldn’t eat anything that your grandmother or your mother wouldn’t know or recognize. In the homebuilding business, it’s a bit like that. The real wood, the real stone, the real earthy stuff is what’s going to last.”
Tour of Remodeled Homes
March 9, 2009
Don’t miss the 10th Anniversary Tour of Remodeled Homes this weekend March 14-15 10am-5pm. Check out the Tour website for more information.
Tour of Remodeled Homes tickets on sale now!
February 23, 2009
Tickets on sale now for the 10th Anniversary Tour of Remodeled Homes. Buy tickets online at the Tour website.
Spring Home and Garden Show
February 16, 2009
Don’t miss the Portland Spring Home and Garden Show February 18-22 at the Expo Center. The Portland Home and Garden Show is teaming up with Portland area Fred Meyer stores. Bring your Fred Meyer Rewards card to the show and get $3 off your admission. This is good all days of the show!
Don’t forget to vote!
November 4, 2008
Then reward yourself with ice cream…Visit a participating Ben and Jerry’s scoop shop on today from 5-8pm, and you’ll get a free scoop of ice cream. Democracy never tasted so sweet.
Remodeling 101
October 20, 2008
Industry professionals guide you through the complete remodeling process in this FREE in-depth seminar. Seats are limited, call the HBA at 503-684-1880 to reserve your seat today!
Saturday, October 25th 9am-noon at the JMG Conference Center at the Home Builders Association (15555 SW Bangy Rd, Lake Oswego, OR 97035). Click here for more information….
Builders Surplus Sale
September 29, 2008
Returning to the Portland Fall Home & Garden Show this year is the Builders’ Surplus Sale, where Portland-area builders and remodelers bring their surplus materials to sell at amazing prices. Whether it’s windows, doors, appliances, roofing material, wallpaper, light fixtures or flooring – if you’re looking for a bargain, this is the place to be. This year look for great deals on tile, tile and more tiles. Thinking of a doing a fall home improvement project? You don’t want to miss the best prices on materials anywhere in the Portland area.
The Portland Fall Home & Garden Show runs Oct. 2-5 at the Portland Expo Center. Celebrating its 20th anniversary as a fall favorite home owners and gardeners will be delighted to find expert advice, simple solutions and inspired ideas from top remodelers, decorators, landscapers, and suppliers. The Builders’ Surplus Sale will be open during normal show hours, Thursday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for the do-it-yourselfer to get quality materials at great prices,†said Hallie Gentry, Remodelers Council manager. “We’ll have such an incredible selection of items including home lighting, paint, tile and a large selection of doors and windows. There really is something here for everyone.â€
Items left at the end of the show will be donated to The Rebuilding Center, the largest non-profit used building materials resource in North America. It is a popular destination for those interested in building with affordable, environmentally low impact materials.