Businesses across Oregon and select counties in Washington have a valuable resource in the Energy Trust of Oregon. Their commercial and industrial incentive programs are designed to reduce energy costs, improve operational efficiency, and support sustainability goals. With a broad portfolio of cash incentives, technical services, and planning assistance, Energy Trust helps companies confidently take on energy-efficiency projects of any scale.

Below is a comprehensive overview of the available Commercial Incentives from Energy Trust, including custom and standard rebates, agricultural improvements, insulation and HVAC upgrades, operations and maintenance support, and early design incentives.

Custom Energy Efficiency Projects

Energy Trust offers cash incentives for custom gas and electric upgrades that are calculated based on actual operating hours and usage. These are especially beneficial for industrial and agricultural customers with non-standard systems or unique energy profiles.

• Custom Electric Projects:
  $0.45 per kWh saved, up to 90% of the eligible project cost
• Custom Gas Projects:
  $5 per therm saved, up to 90% of the eligible project cost

These projects are further supported by no-cost technical services, including:

• Scoping Studies: Energy Trust performs targeted or facility-wide evaluations to identify savings opportunities.
• Technical Energy Studies: Up to $20,000 in value, these studies help determine the most cost-effective solutions.
• Installation Guidance: Project specs, bid reviews, and contractor support.
• Post-Installation Verification: Ensures projected savings are realized.

Irrigation and Agricultural Incentives

Agricultural customers can access rebates for a range of irrigation upgrades and energy-saving equipment:

Irrigation Pump VFDs

• $750–$6,000 per unit (up to 25hp)

Irrigation System Conversions

• $0.45 per kWh saved, up to 90% of project cost

Sprinkler System Upgrades
With VFDs

• High Pressure to MESA / LESA / PMDI: $45 per drop
• MESA to LESA / PMDI: $45 per drop
  Without VFDs
• High Pressure to MESA / LESA / PMDI: $25 per drop

Equipment Rebates for Linear and Pivot Systems

• Regulators: $7.50 each
• Drop tubes or hose extensions: $4.40 each
• Goose neck elbows: $4 each
• Rotating sprinklers (replacing impact): $11 each
• Multi-trajectory sprays (replacing worn LP): $3.50 each
• Multi-trajectory sprays (replacing impact): $8 each
• Rebuilt/new impact sprinklers: $13 each
• New drains: $3.75 each

Wheel and Hand-Line Equipment Incentives

• Rotating sprinklers (replacing impact): $11 each
• New nozzles: $0.60–$6.25 each
• Gaskets: $2 each (limit 4 per irrigated acre)
• New drains: $3.75 each

Standard Equipment Rebates

Energy Trust offers standardized rebates for commonly installed equipment in both Oregon and Washington.

Oregon Commercial Incentives

• HVAC:
  • Condensing Gas Furnaces: $8.25 per kBtu/h
  • Smart Thermostats (non-grocery): $400 each
• Grocery Refrigeration:
  • Evaporator Fan Motors: $150–$180 each
  • Freezer/Case Doors: $160–$400 per linear foot
  • Walk-in Cooler Controls: $500–$1,200 each
  • Smart Thermostats (grocery): $500 each
• Insulation:
  • Attic: $0.90/sq ft (R-25 or more)
  • Roof (R-5 or less): $1.00/sq ft to R-30
  • Roof (no existing): $2.85/sq ft to R-15
  • Wall: $1.30/sq ft to R-20 or higher

Washington Commercial Incentives

• Same HVAC and thermostat rebates as Oregon
• Water Heating:
  • Condensing Gas Tank: $3.50 per kBtu/h
  • Tankless (under 200 kBtu/h): $140 each
  • Tankless (200+ kBtu/h): $1.40 per kBtu/h
• Insulation: Follows same structure and values as Oregon
• Grocery Refrigeration:
  • Freezer/Case Doors: $200–$350 per linear foot
  • Smart Thermostats: $500 each

Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Incentives

Energy Trust recognizes that significant energy savings can be achieved through operational improvements alone. These O&M incentives are performance-based:

• $0.05 per annual kWh saved
• $0.50 per annual therm saved
• Up to $125,000 in total incentives per project

Simple adjustments in controls, scheduling, or maintenance procedures can yield up to 20% savings.

Industrial and Agricultural Equipment

Specialized incentives are available for high-efficiency industrial systems and agricultural environments:

• Industrial Pump and Fan VFDs:
  • $200–$4,500 per unit, up to 22.5hp
• Dairy Vacuum Pump VFDs:
  • $0.45 per kWh saved, up to 90% of project cost
• Radiant Heaters:
  • Non-modulating: $4 per kBtu input
  • Modulating: $5 per kBtu input

Insulation for Industrial Facilities

• Attic: $0.90/sq ft (R-9 or less to R-25+)
• Roof: $2.85/sq ft (no insulation), $1.00/sq ft (R-5 or less)
• Wall: $1.30/sq ft
• Pipe Insulation: $25/linear foot (1.0″ minimum thickness)

Note: Indoor grow operations are not eligible for insulation incentives.

Controlled Environment Agriculture

For indoor agricultural operations (excluding greenhouses), additional equipment incentives include:

• Dehumidifiers: $5 per pint/day
• Greenhouse Upgrades:
  • IR Poly Covers: $0.08/sq ft
  • Greenhouse Controllers: $0.40/sq ft
  • Condensing Unit Heaters: $13.75 per kBtu
  • Thermal Curtains: $1.15/sq ft
  • Under-bench Heating: $2.15/sq ft
  • Radiant Heaters: $4–$5 per kBtu input

Early Design and Whole-Building Incentives

For new construction or major renovations, Energy Trust offers early-stage assistance to optimize building energy performance.

Early Design Assistance Grants

• $2,500–$5,000 for design charrettes
• Add-ons:
  • Solar Design: $500
  • Commissioning Agent: $500
  • Grid-Interactive Efficiency: $500

Solar and Battery Incentives

• Solar Early Design: $500
• Solar Development Study: Up to $2,500
• Battery Storage Study: Up to $5,000
• Battery Installation: Up to $15,000
• Solar Installation: Up to $15,000

Technical Assistance

• Covers 60% of study costs, up to $40,000
• Eligible studies include energy modeling, CFD analysis, daylighting studies, and shoebox modeling

Whole-Building Modeled Savings

• $0.25 per kWh and $0.80 per therm (≥5% savings)
• Path to Net Zero: $0.40 per kWh and $1.20 per therm (≥80% savings)

Whether you’re retrofitting a facility, upgrading agricultural systems, or designing a high-performance building, Energy Trust Commercial Rebates are designed to ease the financial burden and help your project succeed. With cash-back opportunities, expert technical guidance, and performance-based rewards, Oregon businesses have more tools than ever to reach their energy efficiency goals.

To explore these programs further or start a project, visit www.energytrust.org and navigate to the commercial section.