Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact

Steph Routh, steph.routh@gmail.com, 971.506.8385

The Electrify Portland! Home Electrification Fair: Powering a Healthy Future, One Home at a Time

Portland, OR – September 7, 2023 – They say “The future is electric!” but there's more to it than mobility. Homeowners and renters curious about making the switch to efficient electric living need look no further than the upcoming Electrify Portland! Home Electrification Fair. This free, all-ages, fun-filled event will take place on Saturday, October 7th, from 11 am to 3 pm at The Redd on Salmon St (831 SE Salmon St.).

Hosted by ElectrifyPDX, Electrify Portland! aims to educate and inspire the community to update their homes from gas or outdated electric systems to modern appliances and home energy systems using heat pump or induction technologies. The event promises a festive atmosphere complete with product demonstrations, contractor introductions, incentives and financing options, exciting kid activities, and delectable free treats for attendees.

Highlights of the Electrify Portland! Home Electrification Fair:

• Product Demonstrations: Experience first-hand the latest advancements in efficient electric home appliances and systems. From high-efficiency heat pumps and heat pump water heaters to electric lawn equipment and e-bikes, meet reliable local contractors who can help you decarbonize every corner of your home, yard, and commute.

• Induction Cooking Demonstrations: Watch as a Portland chef cooks up local produce on an induction cooktop, illustrating the joy and efficiency of cooking with induction. Taste free samples, and see a side-by-side air quality comparison between gas and induction cooking. Enter a drawing for a free induction cooktop. 

• Meet the Experts: Engage in one-on-one consultations with electrification experts. Walk away with personalized advice and recommendations, ensuring a smooth transition to efficient electric living and reduced utility bills.

• Incentives, Rebates and Financing: Learn about the various incentives available to homeowners and renters at different income levels looking to electrify their homes. Discover how IRA incentives, local rebates and on-bill financing can significantly offset the costs of electrification, making it more affordable than ever. 

• Sign up for Community Solar: Community solar saves you money on your electric bill and helps grow Oregon’s clean energy system. Advisors will be onsite to help fair attendees enroll—just bring your latest electric bill! 

• Kid-Friendly Activities: The Electrify Portland! Fair will include fun activities to entertain kids while parents gather resources. These include a bouncy castle, games, a special performance by Jessa Campbell and the Saplings, snacks, and free Ruby Jewel ice cream sandwiches (for grown-ups too!).

• Kick off Sustainable Building Week: The Electrify Portland! Fair sets the stage for a series of design and construction industry events promoting sustainable building practices and eco-friendly living, culminating in Solar Oregon's Go Zero! Home Tour on October 14th.

"Electrify Portland! is not just an event, but a movement towards a more sustainable future," said Shannon Wilson, Program Manager for ElectrifyPDX. "We're excited to bring together experts, homeowners, and renters to showcase the benefits of home electrification. With the latest technologies and incentives available, there has never been a better time to transition to efficient renewable electric."

According to ElectrifyPDX co-founder Eli Spevak, “Across the city and across the income spectrum, Portlanders are increasingly powering their homes with clean energy. We’re helping to accelerate that trend.”

“We hope folks will join us on the 7th, whether or not they are in a financial position to make changes now. The important thing is to get educated about options and make a plan, so that whenever a gas or old electric appliance breaks—and it will—Portlanders will be prepared to make the switch to efficient electric,” said Kristi Kimball, Director of Electrify Oregon. 

The event is sponsored by Sun Glow Heating and Cooling, Arcadia, Elemental Energy, GreenSavers, Great NW Installations, Rewiring America, A&R Solar, Birdsmouth Design and Build, City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, Climate Control, Community Energy Project, Fireside Home Solutions, The Heat Pump Store, PGE, and Power Northwest.

Join us on Saturday, October 7th, from 11am to 3pm, in The Redd's main hall, demonstration kitchen, and parking area to learn, engage, and experience the power of electrification. Admission is free, and all are welcome to attend this dynamic event.  Free tickets are available on Eventbrite at tinyurl.com/mrcej9f6

For more information and event updates, please visit ElectrifyPortland.org or follow us on instagram at www.instagram.com/Electrify.PDX

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About the Organizer

ElectrifyPDX is a non-profit home certification program of Families for Climate; we are building a visible movement of Portland renters and homeowners accelerating the transition to efficient, renewable electric systems through peer support, contractor connections, and snappy signage. Learn more at ElectrifyPDX.org.