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Water Heaters
Upgrade to a high-efficiency water heater to save energy and money. Water heaters are one of a home's largest energy users, so start saving today!
- Save with Energy Trust cash incentives and tax credits.
- Learn about your 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 a high efficiency water heater.
Ways to Save
Energy Trust Incentives
High-efficiency Gas Water Heaters
Conventional Storage Type—$35
Requirement: Energy Factor (EF) must be 0.62 or betterTankless Type—$200
Requirement: EF must be 0.80 or better.
Find trade ally contractors that install tankless water heatersHigh-efficiency Electric Water Heaters
Conventional Storage Type—$35
Requirement: EF must be 0.93 or betterPremium Efficiency Storage Type—$75
Requirement: EF must be 0.94 or better and a minimum 20-year tank warrantySolar Water Heating Systems
Receive up to $1,500 when you install a solar water heating system.
Tax Credits
Oregon Residential Energy Tax Credit—Up to $340 for gas water heaters (depending on model efficiency level). There are currently no tax credits available for electric water heaters. Solar water heaters qualify for a tax credit of up to $1,500. Water heater must meet Oregon tax credit criteria; see Oregon Department of Energy Web site for complete details.
Federal Tax Credit—30 percent of cost, up to $1,500 (depending on model efficiency level)
For solar water heating systems—30 percent of cost, with no upper limit through 2016
View the rules and requirements.
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 your energy-saving water heater.
Step 1 - Establish your eligibility.
Oregon residential customers who heat their water through 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.
Step 2 - Select a contractor to install your water heater.
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 marked "paid in full" to Energy Trust with your signed and completed Energy Trust 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.
How to Get the Most from Your Water Heater
To get the most from your water heater:
- Set water temperature to a maximum of 125 degrees. If you have an automatic dishwasher that does not preheat its own water, set the water heater thermostat to 140 degrees. (This ensures proper cleaning.)
- Wrap water pipes outside heated spaces (e.g. crawl space, attic) to maximize your energy efficiency and keep your pipes from freezing.
- Finally, install water-saving showerheads and faucet aerators to reduce overall water usage; in turn, potentially lengthening the life of your water heater.
Need help?
Call us at 1-866-368-7878.
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.
