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Heat Pumps

ENERGY STAR^® qualified high-efficiency electric heat pumps help you save money and energy. Because they heat your home in the winter and cool your home in summer, heat pumps provide year-round comfort. To maximize energy savings—and get extra cash back—optimize your heat pump and test and seal your ducts.

Save with Energy Trust cash incentives and state tax credits.
Hire an Energy Trust trade ally contractor or use a non-affiliated contractor.
Get cash back in three easy steps.
Learn how to get the most from a high-efficiency heat pump.

Ways to Save

If an Energy Trust trade ally contractor installs your heat pump, they can help you with the following incentives and tax credits. See a list of Energy Trust trade ally contractors who install heat pumps in your area.

Energy Trust will help you save even more this fall—$50 more!—when you install a high-efficiency heat pump (minimum efficiency HSPF 8.2, SEER 14, EER 11.5), between September 1, 2008, and November 30, 2008. Redeem this $50 cash-back bonus coupon after your contractor installs a qualifying heat pump.

Energy Trust Incentives

Option #1 Replacing Electric Heating System with Heat Pump (If you are replacing an old heat pump, see Option #2)

High Efficiency Heat Pump - $300; plus, get $50 cash back bonus for a limited time
Minimum efficiency HSPF 8.2, SEER 14, EER 11.5; replacing electric furnace or baseboard heat

OR

Premium Efficiency Heat Pump - $400; plus, get $50 cash back bonus for a limited time
Minimum efficiency HSPF 8.5, EER 12.0

Option #2 Upgrading from Old Heat Pump or Non-electric Heat, or Installing in New Construction

High Efficiency Heat Pump - $150; plus, get $50 cash back bonus for a limited time
Minimum efficiency HSPF 8.2, SEER 14, EER 11.5; replacing electric furnace or baseboard heat

OR

Premium Efficiency Heat Pump - $200; plus, get $50 cash back bonus for a limited time
Minimum efficiency HSPF 8.5, EER 12.0

Option #3 Premium Installation Bonus Package - Up to $1,300

Maximize your cash back and your energy savings! Get a $300 bonus when you combine heat pump optimization, plus duct sealing and testing, with a premium efficiency electric heat pump.

Heat pump incentive - $200 or $400
Minimum efficiency HSPF 8.5, EER 12.0
Replace electric heating system (other than a heat pump) - $400
or
Upgrade old heat pump, non-electrical source or installing in new construction - $200

Heat pump optimization - $150
(CheckMe! Diagnostic testing)

Duct testing & sealing - Up to $450
(Performed with duct blaster)

Package bonus - $300

Energy Trust no longer pays incentives for gas furnaces that are used as backup for high efficiency heat pumps, also known as hybrid systems. We do pay incentives for qualified heat pumps. Because a heat pump is the primary heat source in most hybrid systems in Oregon, the limited run-time of the gas furnace does not generate sufficient energy savings to justify an incentive. Energy Trust discontinued backup gas furnace incentives on August 20, 2007.

Tax Credits

Oregon Residential Energy Tax Credit: Up to $430
(Heat pump must meet Oregon tax credit criteria; see Oregon Department of Energy website or your accountant for complete details.)

How To Apply for Energy Trust Incentives

Follow these easy steps to get cash back for your energy-saving heat pump.

Step 1 - Establish your eligibility.
Oregon residential customers who heat their homes with energy from Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural or Cascade Natural Gas are eligible to participate.

Homes that heat with oil, propane, kerosene, butane or wood can conduct their own energy audit and apply for cash rebates for installed weatherization measures through the Oregon Department of Energy's SHOW (State Home Oil Weatherization) program.

If you are eligible, schedule a FREE Home Energy Review to identify energy saving opportunities in your home. Or consider a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR^® assessment for comprehensive recommendations.

Step 2 - Select a contractor to install your heat pump.
To receive an Energy Trust cash incentive, contact an Energy Trust trade ally contractor, or any other licensed contractor with a current Construction Contractors Board (CCB) license. (If you are seeking to apply for any bonus package incentives, you must use a trade ally contractor to install your measures.)

Step 3 - Sign and submit your incentive application.
Mail or fax your contractor's invoice to Energy Trust with your signed and completed Energy Trust (Energy Trust Form 300A) within 120 days of installation.

Mail:
Home Energy Solutions
P.O. Box 847
Portland, OR 97207

Fax:
1-866-516-7592

Please allow six to eight weeks for incentive processing and payment.

Need help?
Call us at 1-866-368-7878.

How to Get the Most from Your Heat Pump

Ask your contractor to perform a residential load calculation to determine what size heating or cooling equipment you need. This invaluable procedure will ensure your equipment is the right size for your home and could help you see greater savings, reliable comfort and longer equipment life.

Seal and insulate your duct system when you replace your heat equipment to ensure you don’t lose valuable heat into unconditioned spaces, such as under your home.

Ask your contractor to show you how to operate your heat pump, then follow the manufacturer’s service and maintenance guidelines. Unless you detect problems, a checkup once every five years is usually adequate.

Install a programmable thermostat for energy savings. Your contractor can install a programmable thermostat along with your heat pump, and show you how to use it. It will allow you to set temperatures to automatically adjust according to your schedule and keep temperatures within a 5- to 10-degree range from day to night.

Photo Top: The electric air-source heat pump uses the difference between outdoor air temperatures and indoor air temperatures to cool and heat the Arnold home. Read the case study.