Green Living
Resources & Guide
Portland is one of the most sustainability-minded cities in the country, and the Pacific Northwest has some of the best green building programs and incentives available anywhere. As a NAR Green Certified Realtor, I've compiled the resources I use most often when helping clients find, evaluate, or sell green homes — from local Oregon programs to national certifications. Whether you're a first-time buyer curious about energy efficiency or a homeowner looking to maximize the value of your green upgrades, this guide is for you.
— Kyle B. Conway, Conway Homes LLC
LEED Certification Levels
LEED Certified
40–49 points
Entry-level certification; meets baseline green standards
LEED Silver
50–59 points
Solid energy and water efficiency improvements
LEED Gold
60–79 points
High-performance home with significant sustainability features
LEED Platinum
80+ points
The highest standard; often net-zero or near net-zero energy
Portland & Oregon Programs
Oregon and the City of Portland offer some of the most generous green home incentives in the country. These are the programs I recommend most often to my clients.
Oregon's premier energy efficiency organization offers cash incentives and rebates for homeowners who upgrade insulation, install heat pumps, add solar panels, or improve windows and doors. Programs are available for both buyers and sellers.
Oregon offers state-level residential energy tax credits for solar installations, energy storage systems, and certain efficiency upgrades. The Oregon Department of Energy administers these programs and provides guidance on eligibility.
A City of Portland program that funds clean energy projects with a focus on community benefit and equity. Provides grants and support for solar installations and energy efficiency upgrades, particularly for income-qualified households.
A Pacific Northwest-focused green building certification that's widely used by Oregon and SW Washington builders. Covers energy efficiency, indoor air quality, water conservation, and land use — and is often more regionally relevant than LEED for Portland-area homes.
Portland's Bureau of Development Services maintains green building resources, including information on the city's green building policy, permitting for solar and efficiency upgrades, and local incentive programs.
Portland General Electric and Pacific Power both offer rebate programs for energy-efficient appliances, heat pumps, EV chargers, and smart thermostats. Check your utility provider's website for current offerings — programs change seasonally.
National Certifications & Programs
These national standards and programs apply across the country and are the benchmarks I use when evaluating or marketing a green home's credentials.
The U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification is the most recognized green building standard in the world. LEED-certified homes earn points across energy, water, materials, and indoor air quality categories, with four levels: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.
The U.S. EPA's Energy Star program certifies homes that are at least 10% more energy-efficient than standard new construction. It's less comprehensive than LEED but widely recognized and a reliable indicator of lower utility costs.
The Passive House standard is one of the most rigorous energy efficiency certifications available. Certified Passive Houses use 60–80% less energy for heating and cooling through superior insulation, airtight construction, and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery. Increasingly common in Portland's custom home market.
The federal solar Investment Tax Credit allows homeowners to deduct 30% of the cost of a solar installation from their federal taxes. This applies to both the panels and associated equipment, including battery storage systems installed at the same time.
The Home Energy Rating System (HERS) provides a standardized score for a home's energy efficiency. A standard new home scores 100; a net-zero home scores 0. When evaluating a green home, ask for the HERS score — it's one of the most objective measures of energy performance available.
Have Questions About Green Homes?
As a NAR Green Certified Realtor, I've invested in understanding this market deeply — not just the certifications and terminology, but the actual lived experience of what makes a green home a better place to live. Whether you're buying, selling, or just curious, I'm happy to talk through your specific situation.
© 2026 Conway Homes LLC · Kyle B. Conway · Move Real Estate