Get scaled incentives based on verified energy efficiency improvements above Oregon code. We have identified best practices in energy-efficient construction to help you maximize your construction efforts and your homebuyer's energy savings. 

View the enhanced incentive options for building your energy-efficient homes.

To qualify for Energy Trust incentives, projects must be sited within the Oregon service territories of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural or Cascade Natural Gas. Additional incentives are available for solar upgrades. To apply for incentives, contact a Builder Outreach Specialist in your area.

Builder Outreach Specialists are available to provide personalized support for all levels of high performance design and construction. They can assist you with any questions you may have about meeting the New Homes program requirements.

Regional training events offer opportunities to learn all you need to know about building more efficient homes. Topics include:

• Home Performance with ENERGY STAR^®
  • Building Analyst
  • Envelope Professional
  • Heating Professional
• House as a System
• New technologies
  • Heating and cooling systems
  • Water heating
  • Wall systems and insulation
• Moisture management
• Indoor air quality
• Duct sealing
• CheckMe! heat pump commissioning
• Air sealing and ventilation
• Thermal bypass
• Duct design

Find out about upcoming builder workshops and events in your area.

Energy Trust's Architectural Design Professional program allies can help you develop or redesign your stock or custom home plans. Rather than determining energy efficiency detailing on-site, your Architectural Design Professional can provide it for you in the design phase so you are ready to build. These details can help you achieve more incentives for your project and result in a better home for your buyer.

Energy Trust is currently working with State agencies to ensure that your energy-efficient detail plans pass through zoning and permitting processes without delay. View a list of Architectural Design Professional program allies, or e-mail for more details or to find out how to sign up as an Architectural Design Professional program ally.

Promoting yourself as an Energy Trust trade ally builder connects your name with a network of respected energy efficiency contractors and consumers in Oregon. Comprehensive marketing tools and incentives help you distinguish yourself in the marketplace. 

• Open a model or tour home and give potential homebuyers the opportunity to experience energy-efficient home features. With the New Homes Model Home Incentive, builders are eligible to receive up to $5,000 per year in model home incentives, while funds are available through December 15, 2009. Builders can take advantage of tiered incentives for up to three model homes per year that exceed Oregon code standards and meet energy performance standards.

  The more efficient the home, the more incentives there are. These incentives include bonuses such as $500 for any above code home with solar water heating or solar electric and an additional $500 incentive for one tour home per year. For more information contact the trade ally coordinator at 1-877-283-0698.

  Up to an additional $2,000 is available through Northwest ENERGY STAR for certified ENERGY STAR homes.

• Receive free cooperative marketing and home branding tools. Receive cooperative marketing funds for marketing your energy-efficient homes.

Make prospective homebuyers aware of your commitment to excellence in energy efficiency building practices by incorporating Energy Trust branding into your sales materials, showroom and model homes. A full suite of marketing and home branding tools are available to builders at no cost—brochures, yard signs, banners, stickers and call-out cards.

We understand that your commitment to homebuyers goes beyond the sale of the home. You can receive the following items to deliver to your homebuyers:

• A Homeowner’s Guide that walks homebuyers through the energy features and benefits of their new energy-efficient home.
• For ENERGY STAR qualifying homes, an ENERGY STAR certification sticker (provided by your Energy Trust project verifier).

In addition, Energy Trust has trained Real Estate Professional trade allies in various elements of energy efficiency programs of Energy Trust, ENERGY STAR and sustainable home construction. Like you, they can access cooperative marketing dollars to help differentiate their knowledge of Energy Trust and the benefits of energy-efficient construction to their customers. They are certified agents who can help you communicate the benefits of your efforts to prospective homebuyers.

Federal tax credits

Home builders are eligible for a $2,000 tax credit for a new energy-efficient home that achieves 50 percent energy savings for heating and cooling over the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). At least 20 percent of the energy savings must come from building envelope improvements. These tax credits apply to new homes located in the United States whose construction is substantially completed after August 8, 2005, and that are acquired from the eligible contractor for use as a residence from January 1, 2006, through December 31, 2009. Find more information here.

State tax credits

By building a High Performance Home with onsite renewable energy systems, you can receive a Business Energy Tax Credit from Oregon Department of Energy. View specific program information and requirements.

Solar upgrades

Builders of energy-efficient new homes can receive additional incentives for incorporating solar water heating or solar electric systems. Systems must be installed by an approved solar trade ally and meet Energy Trust performance and installation requirements. For more information contact the Solar program at 1-866-368-7878 or e-mail the solar team.

Earth Advantage^® and LEED^® for Homes

For builders who want to construct a green home, choose the energy efficiency path right for your needs: the performance based path of Energy Trust or the prescriptive based path of ENERGY STAR. Earth Advantage and LEED for Homes both furnish builders with a flexible menu of sustainable features that address homebuyer demand for healthier indoor air, resource efficiency and environmental responsibility.

Dual-labeled homes receive incentives and builder support from Energy Trust and have the environmental sensitivity and quality construction that are part of all Earth Advantage and LEED homes. Builder Outreach Specialists provide on-the-ground support to assist builders in deciding which options will work to reach desired certification levels and understand the various certification requirements. Contact your Builder Outreach Specialist for more information.

Incentives are available for new residential multifamily dwellings that are up to three stories with stacked units that share floors and ceilings between units. Mixed-use projects with limited commercial on the first level are permissible. View the Multifamily Web pages for more information.