Checked October 19, 2026

Rebates and tax credits in Oregon

Federal tax credits ended for work done after 2025. What still helps pay for fresh air in Oregon is below, checked October 19, 2026. Programs change and money runs out, so check each one’s own page before you buy or sign.

Money toward an HRV or ERVOther states
HRV or ERV, in plain words
  • Fresh in, stale out Two fans swap stale indoor air for outdoor air all night, and can supply a closed bedroom.
  • Keeps much of the heat The two streams pass through a core, so winter air comes in warmed. An open window can’t.
  • HRV or ERV? HRV: heat recovery ventilator (heat). ERV: energy recovery ventilator (heat and some moisture).
  • Not a purifier A purifier cleans the air you have but brings none in, so CO2 stays put.

Measure first: you may not need one.HRV vs ERV guideUnits we’ve reviewed

Money toward an HRV or ERV

Programs that pay toward the unit itself. Some take the money off at the distributor, so ask whether an installer’s price already includes it.

We didn’t find a program in Oregon that names HRVs or ERVs. Your electric and gas utilities are still worth asking: search “[utility] HRV rebate” and “[utility] ERV rebate”.

Federal home energy rebates

Federal money that Oregon runs. HEAR has a category for “insulation, air sealing, and ventilation” worth up to $1,600 for households under 150% of area median income; each state decides what counts as ventilation. ENERGY STAR’s table for HEAR says this category requires ENERGY STAR certification, and ENERGY STAR’s U.S. criteria for ventilation cover fans, not HRVs or ERVs, so ask the program whether an HRV or ERV counts before relying on it. HOMES pays toward whole-home upgrades modeled to save energy.

HEAR in Oregon

Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (also called HEEHR)

Not launched yetVentilation category

The Oregon Department of Energy says 'No rebates are available at this time' and will set a launch date once U.S. DOE approves; contractor enrollment opened October 12, 2026. Energy Trust's HEAR fact sheet lists 'Insulation, air sealing and ventilation' with a $1,600 cap and says these 'may also be eligible.' It names no ventilation products, HRVs or ERVs.

Who qualifies: Low- and moderate-income households, up to 150% of AMI. Low-income households can have up to 100% of project costs covered; moderate-income up to 50%.

State’s page: September 2026 update; contractor enrollment 2026-10-12; fact sheet footer 8/26

HOMES in Oregon

Whole-home rebates, based on modeled or measured savings

Not launched yetVentilation not confirmed

HOMES (open to all incomes) is not available yet and will launch in phases after DOE approval. Energy Trust will deliver it in PGE and Pacific Power areas, and Earth Advantage in the 38 consumer-owned utility and Idaho Power areas. No ventilation rule was found.

State’s page: September 2026 update

Air sealing and insulation

These programs are more common than ventilation rebates, and sealing a house is often what makes it need planned fresh air. If a program is sealing yours, ask whether it requires ventilation afterward and whether it pays for it.

  • Savings Within Reach (income-qualified insulation)

    Energy Trust of Oregon · Oregon homes with electricity or gas from PGE, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas or Avista; income under the county limits

    Attic $1.50 per sq ft (existing R-18 or less, to R-38 or fill); wall $2.25 per sq ft (existing R-4 or less); floor $1.00 per sq ft ($1.25 manufactured homes)

    An Energy Trust trade ally trained for Savings Within Reach must do the work; the contractor applies and deducts the incentive from the invoice. Air sealing and ventilation are not mentioned.

    Ventilation not mentioned in what we readProgram page: Page modified 2026-09-29

  • Standard insulation incentives

    Energy Trust of Oregon · Same utilities as above

    From October 1, 2024: wall $1.50 per sq ft, floor $0.75 per sq ft (attic unchanged; amount not stated in that notice)

    2026 standard amounts not confirmed; Energy Trust's residential insulation page could not be opened.

    Ventilation not mentioned in what we readProgram page: Announced 2024-09-12, effective 2024-10-01

  • Weatherization assistance through community action agencies

    Portland General Electric (PGE page) with local community action agencies · PGE customers at or below 200% of the federal poverty level; renters with landlord consent

    No cost. Insulation (ceiling, wall, floor), air infiltration reduction, furnace repair or replacement, duct improvements, minor repairs.

    Ventilation not mentioned in what we read

State tax credits

We didn’t find a Oregon tax credit for ventilation, air sealing or insulation, and couldn’t confirm there is none.

Low-income help

The federal Weatherization Assistance Program can pay for air sealing, insulation and, where needed, ventilation at no cost to households that qualify by income. In Oregon it’s run by Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS), through local community-based agencies. Households at or below 200% of the federal poverty level; measures include insulation, air infiltration reduction and duct work. Ventilation is not mentioned..

Before you sign

  1. Don’t start work yet. Many programs need pre-approval, a participating contractor or a test first, and work begun early often can’t qualify.
  2. Write down your electric and gas utilities. Rebates usually follow the utility, not the town.
  3. Read the conditions: a listed contractor, a qualifying model, your heating fuel, income limits, and install and claim deadlines.
  4. Ask each installer whether any discount is already in their price, and who files the paperwork.
  5. Get it in writing: each rebate, who applies for it, and what happens to the price if it’s denied.

More on costs and how to check: What drives the cost of ventilation and How to compare quotes.

Worth knowing

  • No Oregon program was found that pays toward an HRV or ERV in a home. A Bonneville Power Administration HRV flyer offers per-CFM incentives through local utilities, but it is for commercial buildings only (or11).
  • Energy Trust's contractor trainings for the new rebates were set for October 26 to 28 (Energy Trust Insider post modified October 14, 2026) (or5).
  • State tax: ODOE and the Oregon Department of Revenue were not checked this session, so state tax help is unknown.

Not tax or legal advice. We list what each program’s own pages said on the date shown, never which to choose, and we don’t know whether you qualify.

Sources