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Water Heating

Save on water and energy bills by upgrading to energy-efficient water heaters. Replacing aging water heaters before they fail can reduce maintenance costs, allowing you to enjoy savings right away.

If you own an individual condominium unit, townhome, duplex, triplex or fourplex in Washington, visit our Washington multifamily page to view available cash incentives for gas tankless water heater upgrades.

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 water 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. Purchase a qualifying water heater at retail, find a trade ally contractor or work with your own contractor.

    View point-of-purchase options on the Details tab or we can help you get started with a trade ally contractor.

  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.
    • Participants can receive either a point-of-purchase incentive at retail or a cash-back rebate, not both.
    • A W-9 or Substitute W-9form 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.

All property types* Incentive Requirements
Gas Commercial Condensing Tank Water Heater $3.50 per kBtu/h

Must have at least 94% thermal efficiency, Water heating input capacity must be greater than 75 kBtu/h per water heater.
Must have an integral tank volume of at least 10 gallons.
Building must have a shared central domestic hot water system.
Additional storage-only tanks may be present.
Properties must have a shared central domestic hot water system.
Commercial Condensing Tankless Water Heater/Boiler $1.40 per kBtu/h

Gas-condensing domestic hot water (DHW) must serve a central water heating system and must not be used for space heating.
Must have minimum 94% thermal efficiency
Water heater input capacity must be at least of 200 kBtu/h.
Integral tank volume must be less than 10 gallons.
Installed equipment must be on the AHRI certified products list.
Domestic Hot Water (DHW) Recirculation Pump Controls $100 per system

Pump must be 1/4 HP or less and control type must be temperature, combined temperature and timer or learning controls and installed DHW recirculation system must meet applicable codes and regulations. Property must have central domestic hot water heating. Must be a standalone pump. Retrofit controls or integral controls qualify.
DHW Recirculation Pump Controls $500 per system

Pump must be more than 1/4 HP and control type must be temperature, combined temperature and timer or learning controls and installed DHW recirculation system must meet applicable codes and regulations. Property must have central domestic hot water heating. Must be a standalone pump. Retrofit controls or integral controls qualify.
For side-by-side, duplex, triplex and fourplex properties Incentive Requirements
Residential Gas Tankless Water Heater – under 200 kBtu/hr input $400 per unit

Water heater must be ENERGY STAR® qualified at the time of purchase. Visit www.energytrust.org/tanklesswaterheaters for a list of eligible models. Water heater must replace storage tank water heater.
Dwelling unit must have an existing dedicated 1/2” gas line capable of serving the tankless water heater or an existing 3/4” gas line that can serve the existing appliances, in addition to the tankless water heater.
Hybrid water heaters do not qualify.
Properties without an existing gas line only qualify if a new gas line installed at no cost by a utility.
For stacked structures with 5 or more units only Incentive Requirements
Gas Condensing Tankless Water Heater $140 each

Gas-condensing domestic hot water (DHW) must not be used for space heating and must serve stacked structures with central water heating.
Water heater Uniform Energy Factor (UEF) must be at least 0.94.
Water heating input capacity must be less than 200 kBtu/h per water heater. Additional hot water storage tanks may not be added.
Must be on AHRI certified product list.

*Properties applying for incentives for water heaters must have water heating provided by a participating utility.

Incentives are subject to funding availability and may change.

Retailer discounts

Retail discounts are available for select high-efficiency residential gas tank water heaters or heat pump water heaters. To receive a discount purchase directly from a retailer.

Distributor discounts

Price discounts are available for owners and managers of investment properties purchasing qualifying commercial water heaters. Call Stan the Hot Water Man at 503.760.2992 for more information.

Participants receiving discounts on  water heaters are not eligible to receive any additional Energy Trust incentives on the same equipment.

Participants receiving a point-of-purchase incentive discount on a water heater are not eligible to receive any additional Energy Trust incentives on the same equipment.

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.