Program Purpose
The Community Partner Funding (CPF) program is Energy Trust of Oregon's initiative to make home energy efficiency improvements accessible to historically underserved communities through partnerships with community-based organizations.
Who the Program Serves
Target Communities
- Low-to-moderate income (LMI) households
- Communities of color
- Indigenous communities
- Rural communities
- Veterans
- People with disabilities
Eligible Homes
- Detached single-family homes
- Manufactured homes
- Small multifamily (duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes)
Who Can Be Community Partners
Organizations that work with the target communities, including:
- Community-based organizations (CBOs)
- Community action agencies
- Housing authorities
- Economic development districts
- Municipalities
- Nonprofits serving veterans, people with disabilities, etc.
How It Works
Partnership Formation
Organization contacts Energy Trust, signs participation agreement (Form 371CPF), and gets matched with a program representative.
Customer Identification
Community Partner finds eligible households, conducts Home Energy Assessment ($250 incentive), and identifies needed upgrades.
Installation
Partner's own staff OR approved contractors install improvements. Must meet Energy Trust specifications. Work completed within 60 days.
Paperwork & Payment
Submit customer authorization (Form 300CPF), project details, and invoices. Energy Trust processes and sends check to whoever paid (partner or contractor).
Available Incentives (Oregon)
🌡️ HVAC/Heating Equipment
| Upgrade | Incentive | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Ductless Heat Pump (Single-Family) | $1,800 | Replaces electric resistance heat, HSPF2 ≥8.10, main living space |
| Ductless Heat Pump (Manufactured) | $3,500 | Same as above, manufactured homes |
| Ductless Heat Pump (Multifamily) | $2,000 | Multifamily properties |
| Ducted Heat Pump | $4,000 | Replaces electric forced air furnace, HSPF2 ≥7.50 |
| "No-Cost" Ducted Heat Pump | Variable | Covers FULL cost, income-qualified customers |
| Extended Capacity Heat Pump | $2,000-$6,650 | Varies by property type and what it replaces |
| High Efficiency Gas Furnace | $2,900 | 95%+ AFUE |
| Heat Pump Controls | $250 | Smart controls with 35°F lockout |
💧 Water Heating
| Upgrade | Incentive | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Heat Pump Water Heater | $240 | NEEA Tier 3, replaces electric tank |
| "No-Cost" Heat Pump Water Heater | Variable | Full cost coverage, income-qualified |
🏠 Insulation & Weatherization
| Upgrade | Incentive Range | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Attic Insulation | Up to $2.49-$3.00/sq ft | R-11 or less existing, upgrade to R-38+ |
| Wall Insulation | Up to $2.32-$3.30/sq ft | R-4 or less existing, upgrade to R-11+ |
| Floor Insulation | Up to $1.09-$3.65/sq ft | R-11 or less existing, upgrade to R-30+ |
🪟 Windows
| Upgrade | Incentive | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Windows | $1.00-$1.50/sq ft | U-Value 0.22-0.27 |
| Enhanced Windows | Variable | U-Value ≤0.30, special funding |
📋 Other Services
| Service | Incentive | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Home Energy Assessment | $250/home | Covers admin costs to identify customers, conduct assessment |
| Smart Thermostat | $250 | Direct install program |
💰 Special Funding Sources
CERTA Grant (Federal)
Up to $2,000 in flexible funds for projects with insulation. Can cover customer costs OR repairs needed to enable work.
Key Program Features
⚡ Flexibility
- Energy Trust adapts to partner's existing workflows
- Can use partner's forms or Energy Trust's templates
- Multiple payment models (partner installs, contractor installs, referrals)
💚 "No-Cost" Options
- For income-qualified customers
- Covers FULL installation cost
- Available for heat pumps and water heaters
- Requires pre-approval
📈 Increased Incentive Amounts
CPF incentives are significantly higher than standard programs:
Example Standard ductless heat pump = $800, CPF = $1,800-$3,500
Designed to reduce or eliminate customer out-of-pocket costs
Eligibility Requirements
Customer Requirements
- Must be customer of: PGE, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas, or Avista
- Home must be occupied (owner or renter)
- Must serve one of the target communities
Technical Requirements
- All work must meet Residential Specifications Manual
- Contractors need Oregon CCB license or WA license
- Equipment must meet efficiency ratings (HSPF2, SEER2, AFUE, etc.)
- Application within 60 days of installation
Why This Program Exists
From Energy Trust's 2020-2024 Strategic Plan:
- Equity - Reach communities historically underserved
- Partnership - Work with trusted community organizations
- Flexibility - Adapt to different org capacities and workflows
- Affordability - Remove cost barriers through higher incentives
The program recognizes that:
- Traditional utility programs often miss underserved communities
- Community organizations have existing trust and relationships
- One-size-fits-all doesn't work for diverse communities
- Cost is a major barrier for LMI households
📚 Resources & Documentation
Getting Started
For Contractors
Forms & Applications
Program Guides & Reference Sheets
Customer-Facing Materials
Measure-Specific Guides (English)
Measure-Specific Guides (Spanish)
Washington State Resources
The Bottom Line
CPF is essentially a premium incentive track that Energy Trust offers exclusively through partnerships with community organizations serving underserved populations. It provides substantially higher rebates and more flexible processes to help these organizations stretch their budgets and serve more people with energy efficiency improvements.