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Rooftop Units and Controls

Energy Trust offers incentives for the installation of new rooftop units with manufacturer-installed advanced controls in multifamily buildings. These packaged units have all the components for heating and cooling in one place, making them easier to install and service. Plus, their placement on the roof maximizes indoor square footage for tenants.

Advanced Rooftop Controls (ARC) reduce fan speed during heating and cooling and can help building owners and operators can save money while making their buildings more comfortable.

Rooftop Units and Controls

To get started on your energy-efficient upgrade follow the steps below or contact a program representative.

  1. Establish your eligibility.

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    • Property’s heating must be provided by Portland General Electric or Pacific Power; or by NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas or Avista.
    • Cash incentives are available to all Oregon multifamily attached residential properties with two or more units including: duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes; side-by-side units; and stacked structures with five or more units. For specific incentives based on your building type see the “Details” tab for further eligibility requirements.
    • Energy-saving improvements must meet program requirements.

  2. Find a trade ally contractor or work with your own contractor.

    We can help you get started.

  3. Install equipment that meets the requirements listed on the Details tab.

  4. Complete and submit an incentive application with supporting documentation.

    • Proof of payment (invoice or receipt marked paid) and/or contractor’s invoice
    • A W-9 or Substitute W-9 form is required for investment properties.
    • Energy Trust must receive applications within 90 days from the date of purchase and installation.

    Online using DocuSign

    Download Application (PDF) Download Application (Doc)

    Send by Mail

    Energy Trust of Oregon
    Existing Multifamily Program
    111 SW Columbia St., Suite 945
    Portland, OR 97201

    Send by Email
    multifamily@energytrust.org

    Send by Fax
    503.243.1154

  5. Get your incentive.

    You should receive a cash incentive check within 6-8 weeks after all information is received.

    Note: A post-installation verification may be required.

Review the incentive application equipment specifications and requirements before starting your project.

Equipment Incentive Requirements
New Rooftop Unit (RTU) with Economizer (Gas or heat pump heating)* $30/ton

All installed RTUs must be new units with Direct Expansion (DX) cooling and either gas furnace or heat pump heating. Must have cooling capacity less than 54 kBtu/h. Economizer must be factory-installed or contractor-installed at the same time as RTU. Property must receive electricity from a participating utility.
New Rooftop Unit (RTU) with Demand Control Ventilation (DCV) (Gas or heat pump heating)** $29/ton

All installed RTUs must be new units with Direct Expansion (DX) cooling and either gas furnace or heat pump heating. Economizer must be factory-installed or contractor-installed at the same time as RTU, with DCV included. to have DCV. The property’s fuel must be provided by a participating utility.
New Rooftop Unit (RTU) with Variable Speed Supply Fan $100/ton

All installed RTUs must be new units with Direct Expansion (DX) cooling and heat pump heating. Variable speed fan and economizer must be factory-installed or contractor-installed at the same time as RTU with DCV included.
Must have cooling capacities less than 65,000 Btu/h. Property must receive electricity from a participating utility. Sites with gas heating do not qualify.
Advanced Rooftop Control – Full retrofit $300 per ton

Properties must have at least 500 annual operating hours. Existing system must have a nominal cooling capacity of at least 5 tons. Existing system must have a single speed supply fan or motor.
Existing systems equipped with a variable frequency drive (VFD) or a CO2 sensor for Demand Control Ventilation (DCV) are not eligible.
Installed equipment must have a controller with digital, integrated economizer with either differential dry-bulb or differential enthalpy with fixed dry-bulb high-limit shutoff.
Installed equipment must have a controller with DCV with proportional control based on CO2 sensor reading.
Installed equipment controls must be listed on BPA qualifying product list.
Advanced Rooftop Control – Lite Retrofit $200 per ton

Property must be served by a participating electric utility.

Sites with electric heating or gas heating from a non-participating provider must have at least 2,500 operating hours.
Sites with gas heating from a participating gas provider must have at least 3,500 operating hours.
Existing system must have a nominal cooling capacity of at least 5 tons.
Existing system must have a single speed supply fan or motor.
Existing systems equipped with a VFD are not eligible.
Installed equipment must be controls listed on BPA qualifying product list.
Installed equipment must have a VFD and controller for variable speed fan operation.

*The property’s electricity must be provided by Portland General Electric or Pacific Power.

**The property’s heating fuel must be provided by Portland General Electric, Pacific Power; or by NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas or Avista.

Incentives are subject to funding availability and may change. Incentives are not intended to influence consumer decisions on fuel sources.

Need Help? Contact Us.

We’re here to explain the process and benefits. Give us a call at 1.877.510.2130 or send us an email at multifamily@energytrust.org.