The IRA Practitioner Brief — Updated April 2026
Oregon HEAR status: Opening Spring 2026 — Oregon's Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates program is launching spring 2026 through two program administrators. Oregon contractors have time right now to prepare credentials, verify license coverage, and position themselves for early enrollment. This guide covers everything Oregon-specific.
Not yet accepting HEAR applications. All timelines are pending final U.S. DOE approval. Oregon contractors should use this window to complete credential and licensing requirements so they can enroll immediately when applications open. The existing Energy Trust rebate programs are live and accepting applications now.
Program Overview at a Glance
$58M
Total Oregon HEAR allocation
3
Launch phases: single-family spring, multi-unit summer, POS fall 2026
$10.5M
Energy Trust of Oregon
PGE and Pacific Power (investor-owned utility) territories
$47.5M
Earth Advantage
38 consumer-owned utility districts statewide
| Phase | Timing | What Opens |
|---|
| Phase 1 | Spring 2026 | Individual unit HEAR and HOMES applications — single-family homes |
| Phase 2 | Summer 2026 | Multi-unit building improvements |
| Phase 3 | Fall 2026 | Point-of-sale coupon rebates at participating retailers |
All timelines subject to DOE approval. Monitor oregon.gov/energy and energytrust.org for official launch announcements.
Administrator Territory Breakdown
Oregon is one of the few states with a two-administrator structure based on utility type. Which administrator you work with depends entirely on your client's electric utility:
| Administrator | Utilities Served | Geography | Allocation |
|---|
| Energy Trust of Oregon |
Portland General Electric (PGE), Pacific Power / PacifiCorp |
Portland metro, Willamette Valley, Salem, Eugene, Medford, Bend, Eastern Oregon on Pacific Power |
$10.5M |
| Earth Advantage (with implementation partners Brio, Brightline Group, IEM) |
38 consumer-owned utility districts (co-ops, PUDs, municipal utilities) + Idaho Power Oregon service area |
Rural and smaller-city Oregon outside PGE/Pacific Power territory; some coastal and mid-valley co-ops |
$47.5M |
Note on allocation vs. population coverage: Energy Trust's smaller allocation ($10.5M) serves a larger share of Oregon's population. Earth Advantage's larger allocation ($47.5M) covers a geographically large but less densely populated territory across 38 utilities. For most urban and suburban Oregon contractors, Energy Trust will be the primary enrollment path.
If you are unsure which administrator covers a specific address, verify the customer's utility bill or call the local utility directly. Oregon does not have a single statewide lookup tool for HEAR territory as of April 2026.
What Oregon Contractors Should Do NOW — Before Launch
1. Check Your Energy Trust Trade Ally Status
If you already participate in Energy Trust of Oregon's existing rebate programs, you are a Trade Ally. Energy Trust has signaled that existing Trade Ally contractors may have a streamlined path to HEAR enrollment, since license, insurance, and qualification documents are already on file.
- Contact Energy Trust at info@energytrust.org or 1-866-368-7878 to ask what HEAR enrollment will require for existing Trade Allies
- Do not assume Trade Ally status automatically qualifies you — enrollment requirements for a federal program may exceed what Trade Ally status requires
- If you are not yet a Trade Ally, apply through energytrust.org/contractor-resources/ — doing so now puts you ahead for HEAR enrollment
Trade Ally advantage: Energy Trust Trade Allies can currently offer existing heat pump rebates to clients right now — before HEAR opens. Being enrolled as a Trade Ally means revenue today and early access positioning when HEAR launches.
2. BPI Building Analyst — Insulation and Air Sealing Work
Oregon's HEAR program is expected to require BPI Building Analyst (BA) certification for contractors performing insulation and air sealing work. This is consistent with how most live-state HEAR programs handle envelope work:
- BPI Building Analyst (BA) — Required for whole-home energy audits and air sealing work that interacts with combustion safety and ventilation systems. The exam includes a written component and a practical field assessment.
- BPI Building Science Principles (BSP) — Entry-level credential; written exam only, no field component. May satisfy requirements for some enrollment tiers but less broadly accepted than BA for audit/assessment work.
- Training typically takes 4–8 weeks from start of study to passing exam. BPI-accredited training is available through Everblue Training, Priority Energy Solutions, and regional community colleges in Oregon.
- Verify final Oregon HEAR credential requirements with Energy Trust or Earth Advantage before enrolling in training — requirements have not been officially published as of April 2026.
→ Full HEAR certification requirements by state (12 live programs) →
→ Insulation and air sealing HEAR rebate guide (BPI standards, blower door, R-value requirements) →
3. HERS Rater Credential — HOMES Program
Oregon's HOMES program (efficiency-based whole-home rebates) requires a certified Home Energy Rating to verify savings. RESNET HERS Rater certification is the expected credential for this work:
- HOMES requires a minimum 20% whole-home energy savings, verified by a certified home energy assessment
- HERS Raters perform the pre- and post-improvement energy ratings that document savings for HOMES rebate applications
- HERS Rater certification takes significantly longer than BPI — typically 3–6 months including coursework, mentored ratings, and exam. Start now if HOMES is part of your business plan.
- For contractors who want to offer HOMES but don't want to become HERS Raters themselves, partnering with an independent HERS Rater is a common approach
4. Oregon CCB (Construction Contractors Board) License
All Oregon contractors performing construction, installation, or improvement work must hold a valid CCB license. For HEAR work specifically:
| HEAR Work Type | CCB License Required | Notes |
|---|
| Heat pump HVAC installation | Specialty Contractor — HVAC | Must also hold Oregon HVAC contractor license (OAR 918-260) |
| Heat pump water heater | Specialty Contractor — Plumbing | Oregon plumbing contractor license required |
| Insulation and air sealing | Specialty Contractor — Insulation, or General Contractor | BPI Building Analyst likely also required |
| Electrical panel upgrade | Specialty Contractor — Electrical | Oregon electrical contractor license required |
| Electric wiring | Specialty Contractor — Electrical | Licensed electrician for all wiring work |
| Whole-home project management | General Contractor | Can subcontract specialty trades; general contractor license covers coordination role |
Verify your CCB license at oregon.gov/ccb. Program administrators will verify CCB license status and scope during HEAR contractor enrollment. An expired or incorrectly scoped license will delay or prevent enrollment.
5. HVAC Contractor Licensing — OAR 918-260
Heat pump installation is the highest-value HEAR measure in Oregon. Oregon HVAC contractor licensing requirements under OAR 918-260 apply to all HVAC work:
- Oregon requires a separate Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Contractor License issued by the Oregon Building Codes Division, in addition to a CCB license
- The license covers installation, replacement, and service of heating, cooling, and refrigeration equipment
- Heat pump installation — including mini-splits, ducted split systems, and ground-source systems — falls under this licensing requirement
- Oregon HVAC contractor licenses require a qualifying individual who holds an Oregon HVAC Journeyman or Supervising Contractor certificate
- EPA 608 Universal certification is required for handling refrigerants — required for all heat pump installation and service
- Verify current license status and renewal dates at oregon.gov/bcd
Don't let licensing gaps block your enrollment. HEAR program administrators will verify that your HVAC contractor license is current and in good standing. A license expired during the enrollment window or a CCB license that doesn't cover the work scope you intend to perform will delay approval. Check expiration dates now.
Oregon-Specific HEAR Program Details
Rebate Amounts (When Program Opens)
| Measure | LMI (<80% AMI) | Moderate (80–150% AMI) | Above 150% AMI |
|---|
| Heat Pump HVAC (air source / mini-split) | Up to $8,000 | Up to $4,000 | Not eligible |
| Heat Pump Water Heater | Up to $1,750 | Up to $875 | Not eligible |
| Electric Stove / Induction Range | Up to $840 | Up to $420 | Not eligible |
| Electric Dryer | Up to $840 | Up to $420 | Not eligible |
| Electrical Panel Upgrade | Up to $4,000 | Up to $2,000 | Not eligible |
| Insulation & Air Sealing (combined) | Up to $1,600 | Up to $800 | Not eligible |
| Electric Wiring | Up to $2,500 | Up to $1,250 | Not eligible |
| Per-household maximum | $14,000 (LMI) / $7,000 (Moderate-Income) |
Rebates cannot exceed 100% of project cost for LMI households or 50% of project cost for moderate-income households.
Oregon AMI — Statewide Calculation
Oregon uses statewide AMI, not county-by-county AMI. This simplifies income eligibility verification compared to states that use metro-specific AMI figures:
| Income Tier | Approximate 4-Person Household Threshold |
|---|
| 80% AMI (LMI threshold) | ~$75,000 statewide |
| 150% AMI (program eligibility ceiling) | ~$140,000 statewide |
Verify current figures at huduser.gov. Statewide AMI means a Portland metro client and a rural Coos County client use the same income limit — a meaningful simplification for Oregon practitioners.
Federal 25C Status — Expired December 31, 2025
Oregon's 25C was the same federal credit that expired for all states. The federal 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit was terminated December 31, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Oregon homeowners who installed qualifying equipment in 2025 can still claim 25C on their 2025 federal tax return. There is no Oregon state income tax credit replacement for 25C. For 2026 installations, the only federal incentive pathway is HEAR/HOMES — and HEAR is income-limited. Clients above 150% AMI will not have access to either HEAR or 25C for 2026 installs.
What Oregon Contractors Can Offer Clients Right Now
While HEAR is pending DOE approval and launch, Oregon contractors have meaningful options for clients today through Energy Trust of Oregon's existing rebate programs. These are separate from HEAR and have no income limits:
Energy Trust of Oregon — Current Rebates (Live Now, No Income Limit)
| Measure | Energy Trust Rebate | Notes |
|---|
| Ductless heat pump (mini-split) | Up to $1,200 instant rebate | Applied at point of purchase through participating Trade Ally contractor; no income limit |
| Ducted heat pump system | $1,000–$2,000 cash back | Paid after installation; efficiency tiers apply; Trade Ally required |
| Air sealing | Up to $200 | Blower door test typically required for documentation |
| Insulation | $0.15–$0.25 per sq ft | R-value requirements by zone; attic, wall, and floor insulation |
| Heat pump water heater | Varies by model | Energy Star certified; check current amounts at energytrust.org |
| Manufactured home heat pump | Enhanced rebates through Dec 31, 2026 | Special promotion — confirm current amounts with Energy Trust |
Verify current amounts at energytrust.org or 1-866-368-7878. Rebate amounts change periodically and are subject to funding availability.
Stack Energy Trust now, stack HEAR later. Energy Trust's existing heat pump rebates CAN be stacked with HEAR when the program launches (unlike Oregon's prior HP3 program, which cannot stack with HEAR). Installing today with Energy Trust rebates and returning for HEAR rebates later is not possible — HEAR applies to new installations. But clients who haven't installed yet can receive both Energy Trust and HEAR rebates on the same installation when HEAR opens.
HP3 cannot stack with HEAR. Oregon's prior HP3 heat pump rebate program cannot be combined with HEAR or HOMES. If your client has a pending HP3 reservation, they will need to choose between HP3 and HEAR when the program launches. Help clients understand which program offers greater value before making that decision.
Application Preparation Checklist
Oregon HEAR Pre-Launch Contractor Checklist
- CCB license current and appropriately scoped — verify at oregon.gov/ccb; confirm license type matches the HEAR measures you plan to install
- Oregon HVAC contractor license current — verify at oregon.gov/bcd; check expiration date and renewal status for OAR 918-260 compliance
- EPA 608 Universal certification — required for all heat pump installation and refrigerant handling
- Energy Trust Trade Ally status — apply or confirm existing status; contact info@energytrust.org to ask about HEAR enrollment path for Trade Allies
- BPI Building Analyst certification (if doing insulation/air sealing) — begin training now if not already certified; 4–8 weeks to exam
- HERS Rater certification (if pursuing HOMES) — begin process now; 3–6 months to full credential
- General liability insurance — minimum $1M per occurrence; confirm certificate is current and not expiring in next 6 months
- Workers' compensation insurance — current certificate; required even for small firms in most program enrollments
- W-9 form — current; ensure business name matches CCB license and insurance certificates exactly
- Earth Advantage enrollment (if serving co-op territory) — contact earthadvantage.org for contractor enrollment information if your service area includes co-op utilities
- Monitor oregon.gov/energy — sign up for ODOE updates to receive official HEAR launch announcements
- Identify 10–20 income-eligible clients — review your existing customer base; for a 4-person Oregon household, 150% AMI is approximately $140,000 — more clients qualify than you might expect
Cross-References for Oregon Practitioners
Resources
Get notified when Oregon HEAR enrollment opens
The IRA Practitioner Brief covers Oregon HEAR launch timing, contractor enrollment requirements, and early implementation details as soon as they're announced. Weekly for OR energy practitioners.