About Us
Jan Barlow
Certified Home Energy Assessor
Resent Rater
EPS Verifier
503.575.5496
My Background in construction, energy efficient consultation, remediation and providing ratings services have taken me from the east coast (Upstate NY) all the way to Oregon over the last 15 years. Over that time I have work on large utility based programs helping low income households achieve energy comfort helping them with economic stability all the way to consulting and implementing comprehensive whole house packages for multi-million dollar projects. I have personally insulated, air-sealed and installed mechanical equipment in hundreds of homes on both coasts and have an intimate understanding of how a dwelling operates.
Where the rubber really hits the road is interacting with our clients and helping them understand how their homes operate. This in turn helps the general public demystify what works and doesn't helping people prioritize next steps so they maximize their investment.
My personal background is somewhat less streamlined. I went to college for fine art with a focus in photography, spending most of my early adult years exploring nature and capturing wildlife and nature's beauty through a lens. It allowed me to connect with the living world a way that will forever define who I am. I'm an avid listener of literature and novels as I travel around the PNW and have come to truly love the region for its natural beauty and progression both socially and environmentally. On my spare time, I dabble in music production and enjoy learning about piloting and aviation via slight simulation.
We all have something to contribute and every day is an opportunity to assist and learn encouraging those less fortunate to strive for their goals.
Andy Manla
Certified Home Energy Assessor
Resent Rater
EPS Verifier
503.575.5496
I'm new to the game, but these experiences certainly have opened my mind. I've been living in houses my entire life, and never stopped to think about the hard work and science that's put into their design and construction. Let alone the steps necessary to make it comfortable to live in. I've learned a lot in the past few months. Things like how air moves and temperature changes and how to curb that movement to regulate temperatures efficiently. That knowledge helps me problem solve areas of infiltration to pass on to builders and homeowners. My continuing education focuses on different appliance types and their efficiency. This is an ever changing field, so I get to grow along with it. Same with building styles and techniques. All this coupled with the support of Ron and Jan and their decades of experience, makes me hopeful for the future.
I've spent most of the years prior to Four Walls Inc., in the retail and music industries. Both served to strengthen my communication skills and team work experience. While working in a customer service environment, I’ve learned a lot about problem solving, including how to find the answer if I don't have it. This field is also constantly in flux with new product and new information to learn.
As a musician I’ve played countless local PNW concerts to audiences of hundreds at a time. I’ve also been a part of multiple west coast tours with a couple bands and a national tour. Making all this work takes dedication, commitment, hustle and sacrifice. Working together with 7 to 10 other members to make a large project come together, is a constant test of team work and communication. Alongside working on my own to learn music, and taking it upon myself to keep the work flow even and smooth, it’s a lot of work.
In all fields I believe there is ALWAYS more to learn and I stay open to those possibilities.