Umpqua Homes, Inc. (UHI) is a Douglas County-based nonprofit that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through residential group homes and community-centered care. The organization provides services through the Oregon Department of Disability Services (ODDS).
Led by CEO Natasha Atkinson, UHI operates twelve care homes and manages day-to-day operations from its Roseburg headquarters, a former Wells Fargo bank building.
Though their headquarters’ layout suited UHI’s administrative needs, its outdated boiler system was another story. The 1980s-era HVAC setup caused dramatic temperature swings, uneven heating and cooling between rooms and constant maintenance headaches.
“We knew when we bought the building that we had five to ten years before we’d needed to do something about the HVAC,” said Atkinson. “Our staff and tenants next door were always calling me, either freezing or boiling.”
Five years in, the aging system began to fail. Replacement parts were no longer available, and the building’s security system was constantly triggering alerts due to communication errors with the old HVAC system. That’s when UHI’s longtime HVAC contractor and Energy Trust of Oregon Trade Ally, Umpqua Sheet Metal, stepped in with a solution.
The contractor recommended replacing the aging boiler system with modern, energy-efficient ductless heat pumps and rooftop units, and encouraged Atkinson to reach out to Energy Trust for support. That connection led to a smooth upgrade process, including replacing the old, “leaky” system, rather than layering new equipment onto the old infrastructure. “We were replacing ceiling tiles every six months, not because of a leak, but from constant condensation,” said Atkinson.
Ductless heat pumps were then installed in each office, conference room, and communal space, giving staff and the next-door tenants individualized temperature control and consistent comfort year-round.
With a $23,400 cash incentive from Energy Trust and estimated annual energy savings of $17,200, the upgrade is already paying off. “Energy Trust made it easy,” said Atkinson. “Our Trade Ally walked us through everything, and now our energy bills are basically covered by rent from our next-door tenants.”
And as a nonprofit funded largely by state contracts, UHI is especially mindful of how public dollars are spent. “As an organization that uses state funding—92% of every dollar that comes into UHI is from the state—it’s important to us to make sure that we’re using the funds in a responsible way.”
The project also aligns with UHI’s intentional sustainability efforts, which include greener cleaning supplies, less paper waste, and even a paid job for a tenant who helps recycle oversized cardboard across locations.
“We’re always trying to be more intentional, about sustainability, about care and about comfort,” said Atkinson. “Energy Trust helps us do all three.”
See how your nonprofit or care facility can reduce costs and boost comfort with Energy Trust. Incentives are available for HVAC, insulation, water heating and more. Visit our cash incentives page or email us at existingbuildings@energytrust.org.