Carmen Matthews and Annie Pollard have high standards when it comes to sustainable living. So much so that when the couple added solar energy to their Coos Bay home, it only inspired them to do more.

They enlisted Energy Trust of Oregon’s Design Support program to help them build their custom dream home packed with energy-efficient features that would lower their energy bills and decrease their carbon footprint.

“Energy Trust helped us identify ways in which we can lower our energy use and helped us with pre-design and coordinating with contractors.”

From insulation and windows to electric vehicle chargers and a hydronic heating system, Energy Trust Design Support helped Annie and Carmen with every detail of their new home and they utilized Energy Trust incentives wherever possible.

“Energy Trust provided support with the design of our home and really made it easy for us to use the incentives and implement them in our daily lives. We look for the ENERGY STAR^® label anytime we purchase a new piece of equipment or appliance.”

The couple didn’t stop at their home. They took their passion for sustainability and applied it to their business, 7 Devils Brewing Co. in Coos Bay. Energy-saving features such as electric vehicle chargers and a solar array help the brewery owners uphold their mission of “crafting the change we wish to see in the world.”

“Lowering our carbon footprint is a huge deal to us. It means a lot. We have a little one, so I’m glad Energy Trust is out doing what they are doing.”

Since making the upgrades, Annie and Carmen say their energy bills have gone down and they now produce enough electricity to give back to the grid. Fun fact: Annie teaches a community ceramics class, and her kiln is powered by the electricity generated by the free solar panels installed on their roof.