Oregon has been awarded more than $113 million in federal funds for two new home energy rebate programs designed to benefit households with low and moderate incomes.
The award to the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) from the U.S. Department of Energy means Oregonians are another step closer to accessing rebates authorized by 2022’s Inflation Reduction Act.
Oregon was among the first states to apply for this funding back in March.
The rebates will be delivered through two programs: Home Efficiency Rebates, also known as HOMES, and Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates, also known as HEAR.
HOMES will provide performance-based rebates for energy efficiency retrofits in single-family homes and multifamily buildings that demonstrate at least 20% energy savings. Increased rebates will be available to households with low incomes.
HEAR will provide point-of-sale rebates to households with low to moderate incomes to install high-efficiency electric appliances and make associated electric and weatherization upgrades.
In partnership with ODOE, Energy Trust will deliver rebates to customers of PGE, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas and Avista. Energy Trust will qualify customers, deliver rebates and train its network of trade ally contractors on program requirements. (Customers of other utilities will have access to these rebates through another implementer that has yet to be selected by ODOE.)
Funding from HOMES and HEAR will allow Energy Trust to serve more customers with low incomes who can only participate through fully or mostly funded upgrades. With the new rebates, Energy Trust will be able to scale up its no-cost offers for income-qualified residents, such as ducted and ductless heat pumps and heat pump waters heaters, and deliver cost savings and other benefits to the customers who need them most.
The rebates will be combined with Energy Trust’s existing incentive offers, which are higher for income-qualified customers.
Now that Oregon has officially been awarded the money, ODOE and Energy Trust will focus on program development and implementation. ODOE expects the rebates will be available to customers in 2026.
“The Oregon Department of Energy is thrilled to receive this award for home energy rebates, and we know Oregonians are anxious to participate in the programs,” ODOE Director Janine Benner said in a statement. “Our agency will work with our partners and stakeholders to stand up these programs as quickly as possible.”
ODOE has more information on HOMES and HEAR on its website.
Energy Trust is delivering more benefits to customers through two other recently announced federally funded awards: Solar for All promoting rooftop and community solar, and a Climate Pollution Reduction Grant promoting energy efficiency in new homes.