Last updated: April 12, 2026
HEAR program status: Imminent Launch — Spring/Summer 2026 — Oregon's HEAR and HOMES programs are in active launch preparation as of April 2026. Trade ally training is underway at both implementers. Administered through Energy Trust of Oregon (PGE and Pacific Power territories) and Earth Advantage (38 consumer-owned utility districts). Applications are not yet open; contractor enrollment is the recommended first step.
Not yet accepting homeowner applications. Contractor/trade ally enrollment with Energy Trust (energytrust.org/trade-ally/hear) and Earth Advantage (earthadvantage.org/hear) is available now. Monitor
oregon.gov/energy for application opening date.
25C federal tax credit expired December 31, 2025. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) terminated Sections 25C and 25D for improvements installed after Dec 31, 2025. HEAR and HOMES rebates are not tax credits and were not affected by OBBBA — they continue through 2031 or until funds are depleted.
Oregon HEAR/HOMES Launch Timeline
| 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 | In-store point-of-sale coupon rebates at participating retailers |
All timelines subject to DOE approval. Monitor oregon.gov/energy and the Energy Trust for official launch announcements.
Oregon's Two-Administrator Structure
Oregon split HEAR/HOMES administration between two organizations based on utility type:
| Administrator | Service Area | Contact |
|---|
| Energy Trust of Oregon | Portland General Electric (PGE) and Pacific Power / PacifiCorp service areas | 1-866-368-7878 · info@energytrust.org |
| Earth Advantage (with partners Brio, Brightline Group, IEM) | 38 consumer-owned utility districts + Idaho Power service areas in Oregon | earthadvantage.org |
Most Oregon practitioners will work with Energy Trust. PGE and Pacific Power cover the majority of Oregon's population including Portland, Salem, Eugene, Bend, and the Willamette Valley. If your client is in a rural area or on a rural co-op, they may be under Earth Advantage's administration.
HEAR 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 | Up to $1,600 | Up to $800 | Not eligible |
| Household cap | $14,000 LMI / $7,000 Moderate |
Oregon AMI — Statewide Calculation
Oregon uses statewide AMI (not county-by-county), which simplifies eligibility verification compared to states like Washington or New York:
| Income Tier | 4-Person Household (approx.) |
|---|
| 80% AMI (LMI threshold) | ~$75,000 statewide |
| 150% AMI (program eligibility ceiling) | ~$140,000 statewide |
Verify current figures at huduser.gov. Statewide AMI means Portland metro clients and rural Oregon clients use the same income limits.
What Oregon Practitioners Can Offer Clients Now
While HEAR is pending, two strong options are available immediately:
1. Energy Trust of Oregon — Existing Rebates (Live Now)
Energy Trust already administers robust rebate programs for PGE and Pacific Power customers. These are separate from HEAR and available today:
| Measure | Energy Trust Rebate | Notes |
|---|
| Ductless heat pump (mini-split) | $200–$1,650 instant discount | Applied at point of purchase through participating contractor |
| Ducted heat pump system | $1,000–$2,000 cash back | Paid after installation through contractor |
| Manufactured home heat pump promotion | Enhanced rebates through Dec 31, 2026 | Special promotion for manufactured homes |
| Solar PV system | Varies by system size | Separate from HEAR |
| Home battery storage | Available | Through Energy Trust and PGE programs |
Verify current Energy Trust rebate amounts at energytrust.org or 1-866-368-7878.
2. Federal 25C and 25D Tax Credits (Terminated December 31, 2025)
25C and 25D tax credits were terminated December 31, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed July 4, 2025. Oregon homeowners who installed qualifying equipment in 2025 can still claim credits on their 2025 tax return. For installations in 2026, the 25C and 25D credits are no longer available.
Current stack for Oregon clients (before HEAR opens): Energy Trust instant discount ($200–$1,650 for heat pump HVAC) alone is available now with no income limit. HEAR will add significantly more when it opens in spring 2026. The 25C tax credit is no longer available for 2026 installs.
Important Oregon Stacking Note: HP3 Cannot Combine with HEAR
Oregon's prior HP3 heat pump rebate program cannot stack with HEAR or HOMES. When HEAR launches, clients with pending HP3 rebates will need to choose one program. The current Energy Trust heat pump discounts are separate and CAN stack with HEAR. Make sure clients understand the difference before HEAR opens.
Income Verification for HEAR (When It Opens)
- Oregon uses federally approved income verification via the USDOE API
- Both electronic and self-attestation methods accepted
- Self-employment and private pension income can be self-attested
- Income documentation required before coupon or rebate approval — gather documents early to avoid delays
- HOMES reservations expire after 180 days
HOMES Program (Efficiency-Based)
Oregon's HOMES program launches on the same timeline as HEAR and provides performance-based rebates for whole-home efficiency improvements:
- Requires minimum 20% whole-home energy savings (verified by certified home energy assessment)
- Covers 50–100% of costs up to $10,000 (higher percentage for lower-income households)
- Both modeled and measured savings pathways available
- Administered through the same Energy Trust / Earth Advantage structure as HEAR
Oregon Practitioner Checklist
- Identify which administrator serves your client's area: PGE or Pacific Power territory = Energy Trust. Rural co-op = Earth Advantage.
- Lead with Energy Trust existing rebates + 25C credits for any heat pump or water heater install right now — no need to wait for HEAR.
- If the client has an existing HP3 reservation, flag that HP3 cannot stack with HEAR. Help them decide which program offers more value when HEAR opens.
- Prepare for Spring 2026 HEAR launch: Review contractor enrollment requirements with Energy Trust. Contact info@energytrust.org to understand what enrollment will be needed.
- For HOMES candidates, begin with a certified home energy assessment — required for both HOMES eligibility and the Mass Save-style entry into the deep-retrofit stack.
- Monitor oregon.gov/energy for official launch announcements — timing is still "spring 2026" with no specific date published.
Get notified when Oregon HEAR opens
Oregon is one of the most-watched upcoming HEAR launches. The IRA Practitioner Brief will cover launch timing, contractor enrollment requirements, and early implementation details as soon as they're announced.
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