Reminder: Existing Homes incentive changes effective January 1, 2016


The incentive changes listed in the November Insider have been updated based on feedback and questions from the Energy Trust Conservation Advisory Council.

As of January 1, 2016, Existing Homes will discontinue cash incentives for large tank heat pump water heaters and EPS™. Energy Trust is adding a self-installation incentive for tier 2 and 3 heat pump water heaters with tanks under 55 gallons. Any incentives not noted below will remain at current 2015 levels. The Trade Ally Resources web pages and online application will be updated to reflect these changes by January 4, 2016.

Existing Homes incentive changes effective January 1, 2016:

MeasureDetails2015 Incentive2016 Incentive
Direct-vent gas fireplace70-74% FE, electronic ignition
$250$150
75%+ FE, electronic ignition$350$250
Direct vent gas unit heater80% AFUE$100Discontinued in Oregon
Ductless heat pumpNew in 2016: minimum 9.0 HSPF$800
Gas furnace95%+ AFUE in Washington only$350$200
90%+ AFUE for single-family rentals$500$550
Heat pump advanced controlSelf installation$150$50
Professional installation$150$150
Smart thermostatNew in 2016; Nest models only, homes heated with forced-air furnace (electric or gas) or heat pump with electric furnace backupNone$50
Gas tank water heater0.67 EF in Oregon$125$100
Heat pump water heaterTier 1 small tank (55 gallons or less)$150$150
Tier 1 large tank (60+ gallons)$500Discontinued
Tier 2 or 3 (55 gallons or less)$500$300
EPSTM for Existing Homes$75Discontinued
Multiple upgrade incentive$100Discontinued
Pool pumpTwo-speed models$200Discontinued
Direct installation of LED A-lamp$11$9

Detailed summary of Existing Homes incentive changes effective January 1, 2016:

  • Fireplaces—Incentives for qualifying tier 1 gas fireplaces with FE of 70 to 74 percent will be reduced from $250 to $150, and qualifying tier 2 gas fireplaces with FE of 75 percent or greater will be reduced from $350 to $250. Qualifying fireplaces will require an electronic ignition to be eligible for Energy Trust incentives.
  • Direct-vent gas unit heater—Direct-vent gas unit heaters with an AFUE of 80 percent will be discontinued for customers in Oregon. The incentive will continue to be available to customers in Washington.
  • Ductless heat pump—A minimum 9.0 HSPF will now be required for ductless heat pumps to be eligible for incentives.
  • Furnaces—Gas furnaces with an AFUE of 95 percent or higher will be eligible for a reduced incentive of $200 available to NW Natural customers in Washington. The incentive for gas furnaces with an AFUE of 90 percent or greater available to single-family rental properties (including manufactured homes) will be increased to $550.
  • Heat pump advanced controls—The self-installation incentive for heat pump advanced controls will be reduced to $50, while the $150 incentive for professional installs will remain the same.
  • Smart thermostat—A new $50 consumer incentive will be available for Nest smart thermostats installed in homes heated by either a forced-air furnace (electric or gas) or a heat pump with electric furnace backup.
  • Water heaters—A reduced incentive of $100 will be available for gas tank water heaters with an EF of .67 for customers in Oregon and Washington. Heat pump water heaters will no longer be required to replace an electric water heater to be eligible for Energy Trust incentives. However, large tank heat pump water heater incentives will be discontinued. Energy Trust will still offer incentives for qualifying heat pump water heaters with tanks 55 gallons or less. Tier 1 water heaters will be eligible for a $150 incentive, and tier 2 and 3 water heaters will be eligible for a $300 incentive. A new $300 consumer incentive will be available for self-installation of tier 2 and 3 water heaters with tanks under 55 gallons.
  • Multiple upgrade incentive—The $100 multiple upgrade incentive will be discontinued.
  • EPS—The $75 incentive for EPS (existing homes) will be discontinued.
  • Pool pump—Two-speed models will no longer qualify for Energy Trust incentives. Variable-speed models will remain eligible.
  • Direct install—The incentive for LED A-lamps will be reduced from $11 to $9.

If you have any questions about these changes, contact the Existing Homes program at 1.866.365.3526, option 8.