We may have Oregon in our name, but our support for energy efficiency extends into Southwest Washington. Energy Trust trade ally builders in this region are eligible to receive incentives for installing energy-efficient upgrades in newly built gas-heated homes located in NW Natural’s service territory.

To qualify for incentives and resources for new homes, builders must be enrolled in Energy Trust’s Trade Ally Network as an EPS™ New Construction trade ally.

Not yet a member? Joining is easy. Membership is free and open to licensed and insured contractors. There’s no cost and you’ll gain instant access to incentive opportunities, trainings and other valuable resources that can help position you as a leader in energy-efficient homebuilding.

The 2018 Washington State Energy Code (WSEC), which became mandatory in February 2021, includes several updates that significantly increase its stringency. Starting Oct. 1, Energy Trust will provide incentives for new homes to exceed the baseline that aligns with the 2018 WSEC. In addition to the existing EPS New Construction whole home option, which requires energy modeling, Energy Trust will offer a simpler participation path based on WSEC credits. Here’s an overview of the two participation options:

EPS New Construction

To qualify for an EPS, homes must perform at least 5% better than the 2018 WSEC.

Code Credits

In this new pathway, builders will work with verifiers to conduct inspections in the field, but verifiers will not need to create an energy model. Energy Trust will base incentives on the 2018 WSEC Energy Credits Table 406.3. To meet code, a home must achieve a certain number of credits based on its size and the fuel type used for space heating. Homes must achieve at least 0.5 gas-related code credit beyond the code minimum to qualify for incentives. Verifiers will submit homes for review using AXIS. Homes that use the code credits option are not eligible to receive an EPS sheet, which details a home’s energy score and features. Instead, builders will receive a report that details how the home exceeded the code.

Incentive Requirements:

Builders are eligible to receive cash incentives up to $2,725 per home. Download our incentive overview sheets to see available incentives:

• Washington EPS New Construction incentive overview
• Washington code credits incentive overview

Participating verifiers can also receive a $100 cash incentive for each qualifying EPS home submitted to the program. Incentives are subject to funding availability and may change.

• Only EPS New Construction trade allies are eligible.
• Homes must be primarily heated with gas provided by NW Natural.

1. Submit your home plans to a program-approved verifier for a consultation and project modeling. Search for a verifier in your area.
2. Your verifier will estimate the energy savings and incentives for the home. By working with your verifier to select additional gas energy-efficiency measures, you can improve the home’s EPS and earn more incentives.
3. Your verifier will inspect your home and perform diagnostic tests to evaluate energy performance.
4. Once the home has been built and verified, your verifier will update the project energy savings with inspection details and performance results, confirm your incentives and issue the final program documentation.