Energy Trust of Oregon is offering incentives to eligible small business customers who install energy-efficient equipment at their existing commercial business. Incentives can be paid directly to your trade ally, who will deduct the incentive amount from your invoice, reducing your out-of-pocket costs. To learn more, email existingbuildings@energytrust.com.
Interested in upgrading your business’ lighting? Check out our limited-time promotion for no-cost lighting upgrades.
If you run your business from your home, Energy Trust offers a variety of incentives for energy-efficient home upgrades. Visit the residential cash incentives page for details.
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Establish your eligibility
Read More >To qualify for increased incentives for small businesses, the following requirements must apply:
- For businesses in Oregon, you must be a customer of Pacific Power, Portland General Electric, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas or Avista
- For businesses in SW Washington, you must have gas provided by NW Natural on Rate Schedules 1, 3, 41 or 42
AND
- Have 20 employees or less
OR
- Operate in an existing brick-and-mortar space that is 20,000 sq. ft. or less (includes all buildings on site)
Other eligibility requirements may apply. Connect with us to see if you qualify. Call 1.866.605.1676 or email existingbuildings@energytrust.com.
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Schedule a free site assessment
A small business energy advisor will visit your space and perform a free assessment of your business to identify qualifying equipment upgrades. To schedule, please email existingbuildings@energytrust.com or call 1.866.605.1676.
If you choose to have equipment installed, you will work with a contractor for the installation. You may use your own contractor, or the small business energy advisor can refer an Energy Trust trade ally contractor.
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3. Have equipment installed
Your contractor will install the selected equipment and demonstrate proper use and maintenance. Incentives can be paid directly to your contractor, who will deduct the incentive amount from your invoice, reducing your out-of-pocket costs.
Note: Energy Trust performs post-installation verifications on some projects. Energy Trust does this to verify the installation meets all standards for energy efficiency and to ensure the customer is happy with the installation of their new equipment. If your business is selected for this, we will schedule at your convenience.
The following incentives are available to eligible small business customers served by a participating utility in Oregon or Southwest Washington.
Equipment must meet eligibility requirements.
For small businesses in Oregon:
| Equipment Category | Equipment | Incentive Amount |
|---|---|---|
| HVAC | Commercial Condensing Gas furnace | $8-8.25/kBtu/h |
| Smart Thermostat at Non-grocery Properties | $400 each | |
| Grocery/Refrigeration | Evaporator Fan Motor | $150-$180/motor |
| Refrigerated Case Doors | $160-$400/linear ft of door | |
| Smart Thermostat at Grocery Properties | $500 each | |
| Insulation | Attic Insulation (Insulate attic to at least R-25 or more efficiency rating) | $0.90/sq ft |
| Roof Insulation (Existing insulation is R-5 or less, insulate to at least R-30) | $1.00/sq ft | |
| Roof Insulation (No existing insulation, insulate to at least R-15) | $2.85/sq ft | |
| Wall Insulation (Insulate wall to at least R-20 or more efficiency rating) | $1.30/sq ft |
Many other incentives are available for small businesses in Oregon. Visit the Oregon cash incentives page to see the full list.
For small businesses in Southwest Washington:
| Equipment Category | Equipment | Incentive Amount |
|---|---|---|
| HVAC | Commercial Condensing Gas furnace | $8.25/kBtu/h |
| Commercial Smart Thermostat | $500 each | |
| Water Heating | Commercial Condensing Gas Tank Water Heaters | $3.75/kBtu/h |
| Commercial Condensing Gas Tankless Water Heaters under 200kBtu/h | $140 each | |
| Commercial Condensing Gas Tankless Water Heaters at least 200 kBtu/h | $1.40/kBtu/h | |
| Grocery/Refrigeration | Refrigerated Case Doors | $200-$350/linear ft of door |
| Insulation | Attic Insulation (Insulate attic to at least R-25 or more efficiency rating) | $0.90/sq ft |
| Roof Insulation (Existing insulation is R-5 or less, insulate to at least R-30) | $1.00/sq ft | |
| Roof Insulation (No existing insulation, insulate to at least R-15) | $2.85/sq ft | |
| Wall Insulation (Insulate wall to at least R-20 or more efficiency rating) | $1.30/sq ft |
Many other incentives are available for small businesses in Southwest Washington. Visit the Washington cash incentives page to see the full list.
Incentives are subject to funding availability and may change.
Energy Trust is working to serve more customers who haven’t received our incentives in the past. This includes many small businesses owned by Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), women, veterans, people with disabilities or those whose first language is not English, along with businesses located in rural and/or low-to-moderate income communities.
If your business is located in an existing commercial building in Oregon, it must be served by Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas or Avista, and have less than 20 employees or be less than 20,000 sq. ft. in size, to be eligible.
If your business is located in SW Washington, it must use natural gas provided by NW Natural on Rate Schedules 1, 3, 41, or 42, and have less than 20 employees, or be less than 20,000 sq. ft. in size, to be eligible.
Other eligibility requirements may apply. Not sure if you qualify? Call us at 1.866.605.1676 or email existingbuildings@energytrust.com and we can help confirm your eligibility.
Yes, if you pay the electric bill for your business, you’re eligible. Many businesses who lease their space install new lighting because it can reduce energy costs every month while improving the safety and appearance of the space. However, you may need to talk with the owner of your space to see how these projects can be completed under the terms of your lease.
Home-based businesses do not qualify for these increased incentives, but they may qualify for incentives through the Residential program which can be found by visiting the residential incentives page.
Yes, even if you aren’t eligible for these incentives for small businesses, Energy Trust offers cash incentives and resources to help make equipment upgrades easier and more affordable for all types and sizes of businesses. For a complete list of incentives, visit our commercial incentives page. You can also contact us directly at 1.866.605.1676 or existingbuildings@energytrust.org.
Yes, Energy Trust offers cash incentives and resources to help make lighting upgrades easier and more affordable for all types and sizes of businesses. For a complete list of incentives, visit our Commercial lighting page, Multifamily lighting page, or Industrial lighting page. If you operate a grow facility, visit our horticultural lighting page for available cash incentives.
An Energy Trust small business energy advisor will perform the site assessment in person and provide recommendations based on an analysis of your building’s existing equipment.
To schedule a site assessment, email existingbuildings@energytrust.com
After the site assessment, the small business energy advisor will review the recommendations with you, and you will be able to select equipment for purchase and installation.
Yes, whether you purchase equipment yourself or work with a contractor, you will still be eligible for Energy Trust standard incentives.
Absolutely! After you complete this project, check out cash incentives available for other types of equipment and improvements in commercial buildings.
You may also be eligible for small business lighting upgrades at no-cost to you. Visit the small business lighting page for more information.
Questions?
Check out our FAQ for frequently asked questions and answers or contact us by calling 1.866.605.1676 or emailing existingbuildings@energytrust.com.