Many Oregon residents lack air conditioning in their homes and, as heat waves become more common, this can lead to dangerous temperatures. After the deadly 2021 Oregon heat waves, Oregon passed legislation to protect Oregon’s vulnerable populations from rising temperatures. To support this legislation, Energy Trust of Oregon is offering incentives for property owners and managers of multifamily properties to create a safe cooling space.

What is a cooling space?

A cooling space is a shared space in a multifamily housing property where five or more residents can maintain a safe temperature during extreme heat events. This landlord-operated space should be kept at 80 degrees Fahrenheit or lower and is only accessible to residents.

Shared spaces that can be used as a cooling space include:

If your property does not have a suitable space, it is possible to establish one off-site at a nearby location.

How can I create a safe cooling space for residents?

Energy Trust offers incentives for various cooling equipment to maintain safe temperatures in a shared space during extreme heat events.

Eligible cooling equipment includes:

Energy Trust offers free technical assistance to help select the best equipment for the available space.

• For smaller community spaces (under 400 square feet) landlords can simply purchase portable or window air conditioners and receive a rebate up to full cost. Refer to our cooling capacity guide to determine the best equipment for your space.
• For larger cooling spaces (over 400 sq ft), Energy Trust will provide 1:1 engineering support to determine the spaces’ cooling capacity and help choose the right cooling system.

What rebates are available?

Multifamily properties and manufactured home parks in Oregon can get 100% of project costs reimbursed to create a safe community cooling space. The incentive can cover up to:

• $1,400 for portable or window air conditioners (maximum $700 per unit)
• $7,000 for ductless heat pumps, heat pumps, and hard-wired air conditioners

How do I get started?

To learn more about the Landlord Provided Cooling Space and how to protect residents during extreme heat events contact us at community.cooling@energytrust.org or 1.888.889.0018 for more information.