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Home-Based Business Owners

Empower your home-based business with energy-saving upgrades

As a dedicated business owner, you can transform your home workspace into a more energy-efficient and comfortable environment. By installing energy-saving upgrades, you can lower maintenance costs for older, failing equipment and increase the comfort of your home. Partner with a qualified Energy Trust trade ally contractor on eligible projects and receive residential incentives as a discount on your invoice, or as a reimbursement self-installation after the project is complete.

The following steps are for Oregon single-family and manufactured homes, and Washington single-family homes, manufactured homes, side-by-side, duplex, triplex and fourplex properties. For Oregon side-by-side, duplex, triplex, fourplex and other multifamily (5+ units) properties, see existing multifamily cash incentives for the full list of incentives, eligibility and application details.

  1. Check your eligibility.

    Read More >

    If you live in Oregon, you must be a customer of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas or Avista and own or rent a single-family or manufactured home.

    If you live in Washington, you must be a customer of NW Natural and own or rent a single-family home, manufactured home, side-by-side property, duplex, triplex or fourplex property.

    Please see Details tab for additional requirements.

  2. Complete a free home energy assessment and receive tailored solutions.

    Online home energy assessment: Receive personalized recommendations by completing an online assessment. Review what you need to prepare for the assessment.

    In-home energy assessment: You may be eligible to receive personalized recommendations by having a knowledgeable staff person from an Energy Trust community partner complete an in-person walkthrough.

  3. Review eligible home energy upgrades and programs.

    Contractor installed incentives: Home energy upgrade incentives available through installation with our Trade Ally Network or self-installation. See the Details tab for available incentives and program coverage.

    Solar: Save on energy bills with solar and add battery storage for backup power through installation with our Trade Ally Network. Increased incentives available for income-qualified homes.

    *Product discounts: Discounts for products that can be self-installed and is available through local retailers and our marketplace. Products include air purifiers, LED grow lights, washers and dryers, gas tank and heat pump water heaters, and smart thermostats.

    *Product discounts do not require Step 4.

    See the Resources tab for how to pick the right upgrade for you.

  4. Contact an Energy Trust trade ally contractor or self-install and submit forms.

    Energy Trust trade ally installations and solar: To receive an Energy Trust cash incentive, contact a qualified Energy Trust trade ally contractor. These incentives can be directly paid to you or paid to the contractors and discounted on the final invoice so there is a lower out-of-pocket cost for you. These incentive applications are filled out and submitted on your behalf by the trade ally.

    Self-install: Sign and submit your application within 60 days of installation. Please allow six to eight weeks for incentive processing and payment.

    Download Incentive Application

    Send by Mail

    Energy Trust of Oregon
    Residential
    818 SW 3rd Ave #215
    Portland, OR 97204

    Send by Fax
    1.866.516.7592

Contractor installed incentives:

In some cases, we offer increased incentive programs beyond our standard incentives. To determine eligibility please review below.

  • Community Partner Funding: For individuals working with participating community-based organizations.
  • Savings Within Reach: For low and moderate income-qualified households.
  • Rentals: For Oregon single-family and manufactured home rentals, and Washington single-family, manufactured home, side-by-side, duplex, triplex and fourplex rentals.

Click on each upgrade type in the table below to see eligibility and application details.** These must be installed by Energy Trust trade ally contractors. Some of the incentives are available for self-installation. Call our general call center line at 1.866.368.7878 to receive pre-approval on self-installation and review our installation requirements.

**For Oregon side-by-side, duplex, triplex, fourplex and other multifamily (5+ units) properties, see existing multifamily cash incentives for the full list of incentives, eligibility and application details.

TypeUpgradeOregonWashington Single-Family, Manufactured, Side-by-side, Duplex, Triple and Fourplex Properties
Single-Family and Manufactured**Side-by-side, Duplex, Triplex and Fourplex Properties
Community Partner FundingSavings Within ReachStandard
Cooling & Heating SolutionsDucted Heat Pump*XXXX
Ductless Heat PumpXXXX
Extended Capacity Heat PumpXXXX
Extended Capacity Heat Pump (replacing electric furnace)XXXX
Heat Pump ControlsXXX
Central Air ConditionerXX
Gas FurnaceXXXX
FireplacesGas FireplaceXXX
InsulationAttic InsulationXXXXX
Floor InsulationXXXXX
Wall InsulationXXXXX
Water HeaterGas Tank Water HeaterXXX
Heat Pump Water Heater*XX
Tankless Water HeaterXXX
WindowWindowsXXXX

* = no-cost option may be available


Educational materials:

Community resources:

Energy Trust Call Center:

General: 1.866.368.7878
Spanish: 1.877.408.9624

Tax credits: You may be able to combine your Energy Trust cash incentives with federal tax credits to help you save even more. Visit the tax credits page or view the IRS’s fact sheet for more information on eligible upgrades.

What qualifies as a home-based business?

Home-based businesses are businesses that primarily operate out of a residence. This page describes home-based businesses conducted out of detached single-family and manufactured homes. For information on incentives available to home-based businesses conducted out of multifamily property types, see existing multifamily cah incentives.

What is a trade ally and why do I need to work with them?

For all non-standard incentives (i.e. Savings Within Reach, Community Partner Funding), Energy Trust requires working with a contractor from our network of licensed and insured independent trade allies, because they are trained on these specialized incentives’ qualification rules and restrictions.

For all standard incentives, Energy Trust recommends working with our trade allies, because they are up-to-date on the latest Energy Trust standards, quality control requirements and incentives. They may also help you complete your cash incentive applications. Overall, trade allies receive additional training and support that Energy Trust does not provide to nonaffiliated contractors. However, you can work with nonaffiliated contractors to receive most of our standard incentives.

Should I get multiple bids for my upgrade?

Energy Trust recommends getting at least three bids, so you can compare your options and ensure you get the expertise and quality you need, but it is not a requirement to participate.

Do I have to use a contractor for installations?

No, the following can be self-installed without pre-approval.

  • Air purifiers
  • LED grow lights
  • Washers and dryers
  • Gas tank water heaters
  • Smart thermostats

The following can be self-installed with pre-approval from Energy Trust by calling our general call center line at 1.866.368.7878:

  • Insulation
  • Heat pump water heaters

A contractor must conduct all other installations to receive the Energy Trust incentive.

Can I receive multiple incentives for a single upgrade?

No, each improvement is eligible for only one incentive. For example, if you install wall insulation, you must choose either the Savings Within Reach incentive or the standard Energy Trust incentive.

Do I need pre-approval for self-installation?

Pre-approval is required for insulation and heat pump water heaters. Call our general call center line at 1.866.368.7878 to receive pre-approval on your self-installation and review our installation requirements.

The following can be self-installed without pre-approval.

  • Air purifiers
  • LED grow lights
  • Washers and dryers
  • Gas tank water heaters
  • Smart thermostats

I rent my home. Do I still qualify for incentives?

Yes, you can find additional information on our renters page. Most upgrades require landlord approval.