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Insulation Self-Install

Self install insulation cash incentives

Properly insulating your attic/ceiling and floors keeps you comfortable throughout the year, reduces outside noise, saves energy and reduces your heating and cooling costs. It’s also one weatherization technique many homeowners can tackle themselves—provided you have the right insulation materials, protective clothing and how-to information. Before beginning an insulation project, it’s a good idea to have an experienced contractor perform a Blower Door test and seal any air leaks in your home.

Energy Trust offers cash for installing your own insulation. Read more below about applying for cash incentives: 

Energy Trust Incentives

We offer cash incentives for eligible homeowners who install their own insulation. We inspect all self-installed improvements prior to incentive payment. Self-installed projects do not qualify for a multiple-improvement bonus or low-interest financing. Participants must review and install to the requirements in our Weatherization Specifications Manual.

Electric- and gas-heated homes:
Attic/ceiling insulation: $0.25 per square foot
Existing insulation must be R-18 or less, and you must insulate to R-38.

Floor insulation: $0.30 per square foot
Existing insulation must be R-11 or less, and you must insulate to R-30 or fill floor cavity.

Knee wall: $0.30 per square foot
Existing insulation must be R-4 or less and you must insulate to R-15 for 2x4 cavities; R-21 for 2x6 cavities and cover attic side of wall with vapor-permeable barrier

Duct and wall insulation: To receive cash incentives for duct and wall insulation, a licensed contractor must perform the work.

Incentive offer is subject to availability of funding and may change.

Tax Credits

Federal energy tax credit: 30 percent of cost, up to $1,500. See rules and requirements.

Oregon customers heating their homes with electricity or natural gas from Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural or Cascade Natural Gas can participate.

Washington customers heating their homes with natural gas from NW Natural can receive our incentives.

Oregon homes that heat with oil, propane, kerosene, butane or wood can conduct their own energy audit and apply for cash rebates for installed weatherization upgrades through the Oregon Department of Energy's SHOW (State Home Oil Weatherization) program.

Energy Trust does not pay incentives for energy-efficient improvements that are mandated for building code compliance, such as remodeling, renovation or new additions to the home.

Follow these easy steps to get cash for self-installing insulation in your home:

1: Establish your eligibility and call 1.866.368.7878 to receive pre-approval on your work.

2: Install insulation in qualifying areas according to specifications in our Weatherization Specifications Manual.

3: Sign and submit your application and checklist form within 90 days of installation.
Mail or fax your signed and completed application and checklist form—along with insulation receipts—to:

Mail:
Energy Trust of Oregon
Home Energy Solutions
P.O. Box 847
Portland, OR 97207

Fax: 1.866.516.7592

4: Complete a post-installation inspection. When we receive your form, we will contact you to schedule an inspection. Self-installed insulation is inspected prior to incentive payment.

Please allow six to eight weeks for incentive processing and payment.

Questions? Call us at 1.866.368.7878.

Please mail or fax Form 320S (Weatherization, Self-Installed) and your insulation receipts to receive cash back for self-installed insulation improvements.