How do we create homes and communities that are affordable, energy efficient, and resilient in the face of climate change? In this episode of E3: Energy & Efficiency with Emily, Emily Mottram speaks with Charity Fain, Executive Director of the Community Energy Project in Portland, Oregon, about the critical role that energy efficiency, weatherization, electrification, heat pumps, renewable energy, and climate resilience play in creating healthier homes and stronger communities. Whether you're a homeowner, architect, builder, energy auditor, sustainability professional, policymaker, or simply interested in creating a more resilient home, this episode offers practical insights into the real-world impact of energy efficiency and climate-focused community programs.

In This Episode:

• Energy efficiency and weatherization

• Heat pumps and home electrification

• Climate resilience and extreme weather

• Building science and home performance

• Energy affordability and utility policy

• Renewable energy and community solar

• Environmental justice and energy justice

• Low-income housing improvements

• Workforce development in the clean energy sector

• Creating healthier, more comfortable homes

About E3: Energy & Efficiency with Emily

Hosted by Emily Mottram, residential designer, building science educator, and co-author of the Pretty Good House series, E3 explores the intersection of high-performance homes, building science, energy efficiency, sustainability, and resilient design through conversations with leading experts from across the construction and housing industries.

In this episode of E3: Energy & Efficiency with Emily, Emily Mottram sits down with building enclosure consultant Emily Fulton of SK Collaborative. They dive into the realities of construction; from managing moisture and humidity in challenging climates to the often overlooked importance of detailing, sequencing, and on-site training. The conversation explores how small decisions can lead to major building failures, why education and consistency matter across crews, and what the industry can learn from both successes and mistakes. It’s a candid, insightful look at building science, problem-solving in the field, and navigating the construction world as women in the industry. 

In this episode we sit down with a residential mechanical engineer, Ashley Murphree, to talk about the systems most homeowners never see, but feel every day.

From ventilation and filtration to hydronics, heat pumps, and indoor air quality, this conversation explores how mechanical design directly impacts health, comfort, and long-term building performance. We also talk about what it’s like to work as a woman in a male-dominated field, and why systems thinking, not shortcuts, is key to building better homes.

A grounded, practical conversation about engineering for real life.

In this episode, host Emily Mottram celebrates the eighth season of E3 and discusses the recent merger of Mottram and Maines, which aims to enhance their architectural practices and educational outreach. They share their backgrounds, emphasizing the importance of knowledge sharing and collaboration in the industry. The conversation delves into their design philosophy, focusing on the balance between aesthetics and functionality, and the significance of building science. They also highlight their virtual office model, the success of their book 'Pretty Good House', and their commitment to providing quality housing and resilient communities.