We know there are a lot of choices out there for getting a Home Energy Score in Portland in 2020. When this program was first enacted in 2018, almost a hundred energy score assessors started new businesses to serve home sellers, but two years in, not all of those businesses are still around. Being a Home Energy Score provider in Portland is not as easy as it looks!
Okay, it doesn’t even really look easy. To be a certified Home Energy Score assessor and comply with the ordinance in Portland, individuals must first hold or obtain some kind of certification in assessing homes. They might have a background as a Home Inspector, Building Analyst, or Residential Energy Analyst. Additional training comes from the Department of Energy, and if they pass the exam, potential Home Energy Score assessors go on to obtain a contractor’s license. Finally, to be able to provide the Score in Portland, Assessors must be authorized by Earth Advantage, which is the non-profit agency contracted with the City of Portland to administer the Home Energy Score program. Read more about what it takes to be a home energy score assessor here on our blog.
If all Portland HES providers go through the same licensing process, then what’s the difference between the 52 assessment firms currently listed by Earth Advantage?
The answer is simple: Price + Service + Convenience. Here are three ways that Home Energy Score providers can set themselves apart in Portland:
- Do they offer instant, on-site results? You want your Home Energy Score provider to be thorough in their assessment, without cutting any corners. But when it comes to getting your results, there’s no reason to wait around. Our Assessor will provide an instant PDF report and paper copies showing your home’s Score, estimated energy costs, and Score with improvements — everything you need to comply with the Portland Home Energy Score ordinance.
- Is their pricing structure transparent, straightforward and competitive? You shouldn’t have to call to ask for a quote to score your home, then sit around waiting for a call back. Our pricing structure is here on our website and is as straightforward as you can get: One price for smaller homes, one for larger homes. If you want to get a professional floor plan of your home with the report, you can add that, too. And all for less than half of what some other Portland HES assessors are charging!
- Do they offer easy online scheduling? You’re busy — we are too. But we work hard to have appointments available to fit all schedules, and you can find one that works for you by using our simple online scheduler. You don’t need to have an account or login, just click, enter your name and address, then pay online! Our assessor will come at the time you’ve selected and you’ll have your Home Energy Score for Portland before you list your home.
Of course, if scheduling online is not your thing, we’re always available by phone — it’s right there at the top of the page. Happy home selling, and we’ll see you at the Assessment!