Wayne and Kae Vo are proud of the energy-efficiency improvements in their West Linn condo. Last year they replaced their electric water heater with a high-efficiency heat pump water heater, and they couldn’t be happier. “It uses two-thirds less energy, and has a much bigger tank,” said Wayne. “With a cash incentive from Energy Trust and a dealer rebate, the system cost about the same as a standard water heater.”

The couple also installed a Nest thermostat that keeps them comfortable and in control of their heating and cooling bills year-round. An Energy Trust cash incentive helped them make that investment, just like 4,000 other residential customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas and Avista who worked with Energy Trust to purchase smart thermostats in 2016.

With help from an Energy Trust Energy Saver Kit, Wayne and Kae replaced all the light bulbs in their condo with LEDs. “We love our LEDs. They not only save energy, but we can sit on the sofa and dim the lights using a remote,” Wayne said.

To round out the savings in their home, Wayne and Kae have a high-efficiency front-loading clothes washer.

Altogether, energy-saving improvements are shaving $375 from the Vo’s annual energy bill. Wayne, who is an electrician, has big plans for that savings. “We’re putting some of it toward paying off our condo early,” he said. “And we’re saving some so I can start my own business in the future.”