Providing Research & Analysis for the Built Environment

Our research work has focused on providing market transformation information to city and state governments and home builders. That work aids in designing new policies, energy efficiency program designs, and building best practices in aid of advancing better buildings. We have done studies on the value of green buildings in the Northwest, effective energy label design, and sustainable earthquake resilient wall assemblies, to name a few. This work looks to fill in the gaps necessary for removing barriers to a more sustainable, resilient, and energy efficient homes across America.

Read our research papers below to dig deeper

Case Study: Earth Advantage Sustainable Home Professional Training Program

Case Study: Earth Advantage Sustainable Home Professional Training Program

January 2024
The US Department of Energy (USDOE) Better Buildings Workforce Accelerator (BBWA) takes a look at how Earth Advantage expanded access to the existing Sustainable Homes Professional Training Program for Latinx contractors in the home retrofit industry.
Remote Home Energy Score Assessments

Remote Home Energy Score Assessments

August 2021
A feasibility study conducted between Earth Advantage and PNNL. 

Download the report here >>
Build Back Better Homes

Build Back Better Homes

April 2021
A new report from RMI, How to Unlock America’s Single-Family Green Mortgage Market, co-authored by David Heslam. 

Download the report here >>
2021 Oregon Residential Energy Code Summary

2021 Oregon Residential Energy Code Summary

April 2021
An overview of the significant changes to the energy code in the 2021 Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC) that will become mandatory on October 1, 2021

Download the fact sheet here >> 

Stories from the Field: Using the Home Energy Score to Influence Real Estate

Stories from the Field: Using the Home Energy Score to Influence Real Estate

February 2021
A case study in partnership with the City of Portland Home Energy Score program, this features the viewpoints, and experiences of real estate professionals and homeowners. 

Download the case study here >>

A Study on City Energy Labeling Benefits

A Study on City Energy Labeling Benefits

August 2020
Score! How Utility Energy Efficiency Programs Are Benefiting from City Energy Labeling Requirements. In cooperation with the Center for Energy & Environment, Energy Trust of Oregon, CenterPoint Energy, City of Portland, City of Minneapolis, CLEAResult, and Earth Advantage. Download the report here >>
Home Energy Labeling

Home Energy Labeling

December 2019
Steps states can take to support city-based home energy labeling initiatives. Prepared for National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) by Earth Advantage.

Download the report here >>
Learning the Score

Learning the Score

July 2019
Lessons from Developing and Deploying the Nation's  First Mandatory Home Energy Score Policies. ACEE publication on the two city's Home Energy Score program development. 

Download the paper here >>
Energy Efficiency & Seismic Resiliency

Energy Efficiency & Seismic Resiliency

March, 2018
Improving Energy Efficiency and
Seismic Resiliency in Older Housing Stock

Download the full report (PDF - 23 MB) »

High Performance Appraisal Addendum

High Performance Appraisal Addendum

January 2017
A high performance home data cost addendum for builders and contractors to provide detailed high performance improvements to professional appraisers and real estate professionals.

 Download PDF (245 KB) »

Energy Code Cost Analysis Study

Energy Code Cost Analysis Study

December 2, 2016
Cost Analysis of Potential Energy Code Improvements

Download the full report (PDF - 9.5 MB) »

Home Valuation Study

Home Valuation Study

October 2015
The Market Valuation of Energy Efficient and
Green Certified Northwest Homes.​ With support from the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance.

Download the full report (PDF - 30.5 MB) »
Download the Appraiser Reference Sheet (PDF - 11.6 MB) >>

NW Building Best Practices

NW Building Best Practices

July 2015
Three printable posters that provide builders with detailed information on mini-split technology, thermal enclosures, and HRV system best practices. Download the individual posters using the links below:

HRV Best Practices for NW >>
Thermal Enclosure: Efficient Walls & Airtightness >>
Mini-split Technology in New Construction >>

Green Community Developement

Green Community Developement

October 2014
A case study highlighting the financial benefits to green and high performance fully certified communities.

Download PDF (200 KB) »

ADU Financing Guide

ADU Financing Guide

October 2014
A snapshot of the ADU financing options available in the Portland, Oregon metro area during the fall of 2014.

Download PDF (200 KB) »

Energy Label Policy Playbook

Energy Label Policy Playbook

July 2014
A Bullitt Foundation-initiated project aimed at developing technical, administrative, and marketing best practices in residential energy labeling and disclosure.

Download PDF (300 KB) »

Appraising ADUs

Appraising ADUs

May 2014
Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs) are an emerging type of residential development with unique legal uses. This short guide outlines the best practices to follow when valuing a property with an ADU.

Download PDF (300 KB) »

Energy Ratings & Property Tax

Energy Ratings & Property Tax

Februrary 2014
One pathway for making home energy ratings more visible to the real estate market is to include them as part of official government property records, such as on property tax records.

Download PDF (188 KB) »

Building Component Cost Premiums

Building Component Cost Premiums

Februrary 2014
Cost premiums for select high performance home building components investigation, conducted in 2013.

Download PDF (245 KB) »

Regional Energy Rating & Disclosure

Regional Energy Rating & Disclosure

April 2013
The assessment is an introduction to this policy topic and the first step in a multi-stage project to support a regional framework for residential energy ratings and disclosure policies.

Download PDF (5.9 MB) »