The Columbia River Gorge is famous for its dramatic beauty and near-constant winds — a paradise for windsurfers and kiteboarders alike. That’s exactly what drew Chris Shaw, his wife and three other couples to the area in the early 1990s. All avid windsurfers, they purchased a fourplex in Hood River, Oregon, as a shared vacation home, with plans to spend more time there in retirement.
But while the location was ideal, the building left a lot to be desired.
Built in the 1970s with standard 2×4 framing, the fourplex came with baseboard heaters for warmth and an outdated evaporative cooling system, often called a swamp cooler, for summer relief. “Keeping the property comfortable throughout the year was a real challenge,” said Shaw. Drafty windows, inefficient heating, and an aging cooling system made it tough to enjoy their stays during the chillier months or during peak summer heat.
As the couples began spending longer stretches at the property, comfort and energy efficiency moved to the top of their to-do list. Then a cracked window seal in one of the units pushed them to act.
That’s when they turned to Energy Trust of Oregon.
“I did the initial contact through the website and saw that they had very good incentives for HVAC, too,” said Shaw. “We were then assigned someone to help guide us through the process.”
With support from Energy Trust and local contractor trade ally Sky Heating, AC, Plumbing & Electrical, the fourplex owners moved forward with installing ductless heat pumps (DHPs) in all four units. They received $7,200 in cash incentives, making the upgrade both cost-effective and straightforward.
“We worked directly with Energy Trust and got the rebate sent directly to us,” said Shaw. “It was a simple process.”
The new mini-split systems now provide each unit with zoned, energy-efficient temperature control, a step up from the old baseboard heaters and swamp coolers. DHPs not only use significantly less energy, they also allow for better airflow and more consistent indoor temperatures, no matter the season. The results? Estimated annual savings of nearly $900 across the property. Shaw noted that one unit’s winter electricity bill dropped from $150 to just $65 after the new DHPs were installed.*
“Energy Trust was always very responsive; emails were answered right away; we got the pay-out as soon as we submitted the final bill. I would encourage anyone to do it,” Shaw says.
And the cherry on top? “We don’t have to deal with those swamp coolers anymore,” he added.
For property owners of attached residences and plex properties, making energy-efficient upgrades like these can deliver long-term savings while boosting comfort, with better heating in winter, cooler summers and lower energy bills all year long. To learn more about available cash incentives or to get started, visit our incentives page or email multifamily@energytrust.org.
*Results may vary and can be dependent on several factors.