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Air Sealing
Sealing air leaks is one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to increase your home's comfort and energy efficiency. Air sealing your home reduces drafts, controls moisture, keeps out pollutants and improves overall comfort.
- Save with Energy Trust cash incentives.
- Learn about financing options.
- 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 air sealing.
Ways to Save
Energy Trust Incentives
As of May 1, 2009, Energy Trust requires all homes with a combustion appliance inside the conditioned space—such as a gas appliance or wood-burning unit—to have a carbon monoxide detector installed by a trade ally or contractor to qualify for Energy Trust air sealing incentives.
Air Leakage Test—$35 per residence tested; for both electric- and gas-heated homes
Blower Door test required, which measures the air leakage of your home before and after air sealing is performed.Air Sealing:
Electric-heated homes: 50 percent of cost, up to $400
Gas-heated homes: 50 percent of cost, up to $275Requirements: To qualify for Energy Trust incentives, air sealing must meet a minimum 300 CFM50 reduction, and the Minimum Ventilation Level must be at or above program requirements. Consult your trade ally or contractor for more information on the correct ventilation level for your home.
Multiple Improvement Bonus Package — For gas- and electric-heated homes, see the Home Comfort Bonus Package to learn how you can qualify for a cash-back bonus.
Tax Credits
Oregon Residential Energy Tax Credit—not available
Federal Tax Credit—not available
Financing
Need financing for your home improvement project? Energy Trust of Oregon has joined forces with Umpqua Bank to create GreenStreet Lending—an innovative alliance designed to help homeowners and small business owners access affordable financing to change the way they use energy. GreenStreet Lending offers preferred rates, no closing costs and no loan fees. Learn more at www.GreenStreetloan.com.
How to Apply for Energy Trust Incentives
Follow these easy steps to get cash back for air sealing your home.
Step 1- Establish your eligibility.
Oregon customers heating their homes with electricity or natural gas 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 perform the air sealing.
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 upgrades.)Step 3- Sign and submit form.
Mail or fax your contractor's invoice marked "paid in full" to Energy Trust with your signed and completed incentive application (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.Questions? Call us at 1-866-368-7878.
How to Get the Most From Air Sealing Your Home
Sealing the shell of your home – outer walls, doors, ceiling, windows and floors – can increase comfort and help you save on energy costs. Many air leaks and drafts are easy to find because they are easy to feel, like those around doors and windows. However, hiring a contractor to perform a Blower Door test can help you find many of your home’s hidden leaks. A Blower Door test pressurizes and depressurizes your home to measure air leakage. Find out more about air sealing.
Energy Trust of Oregon does not pay incentives for energy-efficiency improvements that are mandated for building code compliance, such as remodeling, renovation or new additions to the home.
