Energy Trust of Oregon is offering increased incentives to eligible small business customers who work with a participating small business trade ally to install energy-efficient equipment at their existing commercial business. Increased incentives will be paid directly to your small business trade ally, who will deduct the incentive amount from your invoice, reducing your out-of-pocket costs. To connect with a small business trade ally in your area, email EnergyTrustSB@Resource-innovations.com.
Interested in upgrading your business’ lighting? Check out our limited-time promotion for no-cost lighting upgrades.
If you run your business from your home, Energy Trust offers a variety of incentives for energy-efficient home upgrades. Visit the residential cash incentives page for details.
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Establish your eligibility
Read More >To qualify for increased incentives for small businesses, the following requirements must apply:
- For businesses in Oregon, you must be a customer of Pacific Power, Portland General Electric, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas or Avista
- For businesses in SW Washington, you must have gas provided by NW Natural on Rate Schedules 1, 3, 41 or 42
AND
- Have 20 employees or less
OR
- Operate in an existing brick-and-mortar space that is 20,000 sq. ft. or less (includes all buildings on site)
Other eligibility requirements may apply. Connect with us to see if you qualify. Call 1.866.605.1676 or email EnergyTrustSB@Resource-innovations.com.
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Schedule a free site assessment
A participating small business trade ally will visit your space and perform a free assessment of your business to identify qualifying equipment upgrades. To schedule, please email EnergyTrustSB@Resource-innovations.com or call 1.866.605.1676.
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3. Have equipment installed
Your small business trade ally will install the selected equipment and demonstrate proper use and maintenance. Increased incentives will be paid directly to your small business trade ally, who will deduct the incentive amount from your invoice, reducing your out-of-pocket costs.
Note: Energy Trust performs post-installation verifications on some projects. Energy Trust does this to verify the installation meets all standards for energy efficiency and to ensure the customer is happy with the installation of their new equipment. If your business is selected for this, we will schedule at your convenience.
The following increased incentives are available to eligible small business customers served by a participating utility in Oregon or Southwest Washington.
You must use an enrolled small business trade ally to install your equipment. Equipment must meet eligibility requirements.
For small businesses in Oregon:
| Equipment Category | Equipment | Increased Incentive Amount |
|---|---|---|
| HVAC | Commercial Condensing Gas furnace | $8.25/kBtu/h |
| New Rooftop Unit (RTU) with Demand Control Ventilation | $35/ton | |
| New RTU with Economizer | $45/ton | |
| New RTU with Variable Speed Supply Fan | $400/ton | |
| Advanced Rooftop Controls (ARC) – Lite Retrofit | $200/ton | |
| Advanced Rooftop Controls (ARC) – Full Retrofit | $300-$400/ton | |
| Infrared Radiant Heaters, low intensity, non-modulating, non-condensing | $1.30/kBtu/h | |
| Infrared Radiant Heaters, low intensity, modulating, non-condensing | $2.40/kBtu/h | |
| Smart Thermostat at Non-grocery Properties | $400 each | |
| Water Heating | Commercial Condensing Tank Water Heaters | $3.75/kBtu/h |
| Commercial Condensing Tankless Water Heaters under 200kBtu/h | $140 each | |
| Commercial Condensing Tankless Water Heaters at least 200 kBtu/h | $1.40/kBtu/h | |
| Grocery/Refrigeration | Anti-Sweat Controls | $60-$80/linear ft of door |
| Evaporator Fan Motor | $150-$180/motor | |
| Refrigerated Case Doors | $160-$400/linear ft of door | |
| ENERGY STAR Vertical Reach-In Refrigerator | $20 each | |
| ENERGY STAR Vertical Reach-In Freezer | $40-$325 each | |
| Floating Head Pressure Controls (FHPC) | $65/compressor hp | |
| Floating Suction Pressure Controls (FSPC) | $65/compressor hp | |
| FHPC and FSPC Concurrently | $130/compressor hp | |
| VFD, Air or Evaporatively Cooled Condenser | $850-$900/fan motor hp | |
| Strip Curtains | $12/sq ft | |
| LED Case Lighting | $9-$17/linear ft | |
| LED Case Lighting Motion Sensors | $2.50/linear ft | |
| Smart Thermostat at Grocery Properties | $500 each | |
| Food Service | Commercial Vent Hood | $900-$1,500/controlled motor hp |
| Insulation | Attic Insulation (Insulate attic to at least R-25 or more efficiency rating) | $0.90/sq ft |
| Roof Insulation (Existing insulation is R-5 or less, insulate to at least R-30) | $1.50/sq ft | |
| Roof Insulation (No existing insulation, insulate to at least R-15) | $2.85/sq ft | |
| Wall Insulation (Insulate wall to at least R-20 or more efficiency rating) | $1.30/sq ft | |
| Pipe Insulation | $18-$30/linear ft |
For small businesses in Southwest Washington:
| Equipment Category | Equipment | Increased Incentive Amount |
|---|---|---|
| HVAC | Commercial Condensing Gas furnace | $8.25/kBtu/h |
| New Rooftop Unit (RTU) with Demand Control Ventilation | $35/ton | |
| Advanced Rooftop Controls (ARC) – Full Retrofit | $300/ton | |
| Infrared Radiant Heaters, low intensity, non-modulating, non-condensing (gas only) | $1.30/kBtu/h | |
| Infrared Radiant Heaters, low intensity, modulating, non-condensing (gas only) | $2.40/kBtu/h | |
| Water Heating | Commercial Condensing Tank Water Heaters | $3.75/kBtu/h |
| Commercial Condensing Tankless Water Heaters under 200kBtu/h | $140 each | |
| Commercial Condensing Tankless Water Heaters at least 200 kBtu/h | $1.40/kBtu/h | |
| Grocery/Refrigeration | Refrigerated Case Doors | $200-$400/linear ft of door |
| Food Service | Commercial Vent Hood | $1,500/controlled motor hp |
| Insulation | Attic Insulation (Insulate attic to at least R-25 or more efficiency rating) | $0.90/sq ft |
| Roof Insulation (Existing insulation is R-5 or less, insulate to at least R-30) | $1.50/sq ft | |
| Roof Insulation (No existing insulation, insulate to at least R-15) | $2.85/sq ft | |
| Wall Insulation (Insulate wall to at least R-20 or more efficiency rating) | $1.30/sq ft | |
| Pipe Insulation | $18-$30/linear ft |
If you don’t see the equipment you’re looking for or if your business is not eligible for increased incentives for small businesses, you may still be eligible for other Energy Trust incentives that can reduce the cost of energy-saving upgrades. Please check out our complete list of incentives for business customers.
Incentives are subject to funding availability and may change.
For a limited time, Energy Trust is offering increased incentives on HVAC, water heating, insulation, and other equipment to help small and medium businesses reduce energy costs. A small business trade ally will complete a free site assessment, recommend equipment, install selected equipment and demonstrate its proper use and maintenance.
Energy Trust is working to serve more customers who haven’t received our incentives in the past. This includes many small businesses owned by Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), women, veterans, people with disabilities or those whose first language is not English, along with businesses located in rural and/or low-to-moderate income communities.
If your business is located in an existing commercial building in Oregon, it must be served by Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas or Avista, and have less than 20 employees or be less than 20,000 sq. ft. in size, to be eligible.
If your business is located in SW Washington, it must use natural gas provided by NW Natural on Rate Schedules 1, 3, 41, or 42, and have less than 20 employees, or be less than 20,000 sq. ft. in size, to be eligible.
Other eligibility requirements may apply. Not sure if you qualify? Call us at 1.866.605.1676 or email EneryTrustSB@resource-innovations.com and we can help confirm your eligibility.
Yes. If you pay the electric bill for your business, you’re eligible. Many businesses who lease their space install new lighting because it can reduce energy costs every month while improving the safety and appearance of the space. However, you may need to talk with the owner of your space to see how these projects can be completed under the terms of your lease.
Home-based businesses do not qualify for these increased incentives, but they may qualify for incentives through the Residential program which can be found by visiting the residential incentives page.
Yes, even if you aren’t eligible for these increased incentives for small businesses, Energy Trust offers cash incentives and resources to help make equipment upgrades easier and more affordable for all types and sizes of businesses. For a complete list of incentives, visit our commercial incentives page. You can also contact us directly at 1.866.605.1676 or existingbuildings@energytrust.org.
Yes. Energy Trust offers cash incentives and resources to help make lighting upgrades easier and more affordable for all types and sizes of businesses. For a complete list of incentives, visit our Commercial lighting page, Multifamily lighting page, or Industrial lighting page. You can also contact our lighting team directly at 1.800.326.2917or lighting@energytrust.org.
An Energy Trust small business trade ally will perform the site assessment in person and provide recommendations based on an analysis of your building’s existing equipment. Our team will follow all CDC COVID-19 recommendations for entering your business safely.
To schedule a site assessment, email EnergyTrustSB@Resource-innovations.com
After the site assessment, the small business trade ally will review the recommendations with you, and you will be able to select equipment for purchase and installation. If you decide to move forward with one of the energy efficient upgrades, you will accept the trade ally’s proposal. Your out-of-pocket expense will automatically be reduced by the Energy Trust increased incentive amount- without any additional forms or waiting period. The trade ally will then install the equipment and show you how to use and maintain your new equipment.
After installation, you and your trade ally will sign a project completion form. When you pay for the project’s equipment and installation, you will see the increased incentive applied to your invoice from the trade ally.
No. This offer is available only through approved Energy Trust small business trade allies. You are not eligible for the increased incentives if you purchase equipment yourself or work with another contractor.
If you purchase equipment yourself or work with another contractor, you may still be eligible for Energy Trust standard incentives. Visit the commercial business incentives page for more information.
Absolutely! After you complete this project, check out cash incentives available for other types of equipment and improvements in commercial buildings.
You may also be eligible for small business lighting upgrades at no-cost to you. Visit the small business lighting page for more information.
Questions?
Check out our FAQ for frequently asked questions and answers or contact us by calling 1.866.605.1676 or emailing EnergyTrustSB@Resource-innovations.com.