When Stephanie and Justyn moved to Portland from Nashville, they put down roots by rescuing a neglected house. Their 1925 home looked decent from the outside, but inside it begged for help. The couple is gradually updating the house, and energy efficiency is as important to them as refinishing the hardwood floors and painting the dining room.

"When we first saw the house, it was hurting," says Stephanie. "It was a used and abused house and bank-owned—so we are trying to bring her back so she is beautiful again. It's a really solid house."

Stephanie and Justyn's Home Energy Makeover will replace their old gas furnace and water heater with high-efficiency equipment, and the house will be tightened up with insulation and air and duct sealing, all provided by the contest sponsors. Stephanie and Justyn can expect to see their energy costs shrink by as much as 50 percent.

"Most people want to save energy, but it can be overwhelming to pinpoint and prioritize what to do when you move into a home," says Justyn. "The makeover will help us do the things that will really make a difference in our home."

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Makeover Game Plan

Home Energy Makeover sponsors are providing the following energy-saving improvements for Stephanie and Justyn’s home:

House Stats

• House size: 1,339 square feet
• Year built: 1925
• Bedrooms: 3
• Floors: Two stories and unfinished basement
• Energy issues:
  • Inefficient old gas furnace
  • Inefficient gas water heater
  • Very little insulation
  • Air leaks and leaky duct work
  
  

Progress Reports

Check out the energy-saving improvements

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See the makeover in action

Meet Stephanie and Justyn

Energy Advisor Update from Alex Glenn: Justyn and Stephanie are big recyclers and want to recycle this older home so it’s not a drain on the environment and their budget. Like many older homes we look at, this one has big opportunities to improve energy efficiency. We’ll start by sealing up gaps and cracks throughout the home—especially in the basement and attic space—and by insulating throughout. We’ll also install a high-efficiency heating, cooling and ventilation system, so this 1920s home operates at peak performance. A high-efficiency tankless gas water heater will replace the old model and give Justyn and Stephanie a reliable supply of hot water on demand. We expect to trim energy costs by up to half.