Clean Energy Works Oregon is an easier way for Oregonians to make their homes more energy efficient and comfortable. With Clean Energy Works Oregon homeowners can finance up to $30,000 in energy efficient upgrades with a no-money-down loan that’s repaid right on your heating bill (repayment on heating bill is not available in all areas). And for a limited time, Clean Energy Works Oregon is offering homeowners generous Instant Rebates, up to $2,000 in Clackamas, Multnomah, Jackson, Josephine, Lake and Washington, Counties.

There are several benefits to Clean Energy Works Oregon:

• CEWO is Affordable: no money down financing you repay through your heating bill (reapayment on your heating bill is not available in all areas)
• CEWO is Convenient: an all-in-one solution that bundles multiple energy efficiency upgrades, certified contractors, financing, and easy repayment through your utility bill.
• CEWO is Objective a trusted nonprofit that provides a personal energy advisor to guide you through the entire process with objective advice
• CEWO is Community: creating family-supporting jobs while helping the environment

It’s as simple as 4 easy steps:

1. Apply - apply online at cewo.org to get accepted
2. Assess - a free Home Energy Assessment (worth $500) removes the guesswork by pinpointing energy saving opportunities. Your Clean Energy Works Contractor and independent Energy Advisor present you with a custom proposal that includes a cost estimate and financing options
3. Finance – apply for financing from one our lending partners offering attractive rates and terms available exclusively to homeowners participating in CEWO
4. Transform – your team of certified contractors install upgrades that may include: attic, wall and floor insulation, high-efficiency heating systems or even windows.

You can find more detailed information in our How it Works section.

Almost. Clean Energy Works Portland was a pilot program that ended in early 2011 and was limited to just 500 homeowners. Because the pilot was so successful, we have expanded the program beyond the City of Portland and aim to have 6,000 homes participate by the end of 2013. Our service territory currently includes, Clackamas, Klamath, Jackson, Josephine, Lake, Multnomah and Washington Counties. We'll soon launch in other communities around the state (If you are outside this area visit our Options page for a list of other programs that might work for you).

Based on feedback from the pilot we have also made some changes and improvements including:

1. Loosened the acceptance criteria so more homeowners can participate
2. Added windows to the approved energy efficiency upgrades
3. Raised the maximum loan from $20,000 to $30,000 to allow for a more comprehensive home energy remodel
4. Added Instant Rebates to make a home energy remodel even more affordable

1. Create or retain 1,300 high quality green jobs
2. Save more than 300,000 MBTUs of energy
3. Reduce carbon dioxide by 200,000 metric tons

• Attic, wall and floor insulation
• Air Sealing - caulking and sealing gaps and leaks around windows, pipes, electrical outlets and anywhere else that lets in hot or cold air.
• Duct Sealing - insulating and sealing gaps in the “ducts” that move hot or cold air from your heating or cooling system to other parts of your home.
• Home Heating – high efficiency gas furnaces, heat pumps and ductless heat pumps
• Water Heating – high efficiency electric water heaters, gas tank water heaters and tankless on-demand gas water heaters.
• Windows – R-5 windows (U-value of 0.22 or less). Windows will be eligible only if estimated savings for the entire retrofit package are at least 30 percent of energy use.

A few homeowners have gone through the process in as little as one month. But on average, it is taking 4-5 months from the time an application is received to complete the process. Part of this depends on you, the homeowner. Some homeowners need more time than others to review their bid and financing package before they are comfortable signing them. If you move more quickly than others, you can get through the program in considerably less time.

To ensure we are not holding up the process, we have established timing standards for each step in the program:

• Application processing/acceptance: immediate if you and your home qualify
• Home Energy Assessment Report Delivery: within 10 business days after your Home Energy Assessment
• The Bid Process: you will receive an "Upgrade Options Menu" from your contractor within 10 business days of receiving your Home Energy Assessment report.
• Financing Approval: up to 2 weeks depending on the lender
• Installing Your Energy Upgrades: depending on the upgrades your select work can take 2-4 weeks to complete

• Some of the participating contractors also install residential solar systems. If you like, I can give you their contact information and you may contact them directly.
• Energy Trust of Oregon offers cash incentives and services to help you add solar to your home.

• Located in Clackamas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Lake, Multnomah or Washington Counties
• Owned by you and be your place of residence
• Built before 1993
• Single-family, detached structure (mobile homes, townhouses or other multi-family dwellings are not yet eligible)
• Not on the historic registry

In Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington Counties your home must currently (or upon completing CEWO*) be heated with electricity or natural gas from NW Natural, Pacific Power or Portland General Electric

You need to apply and be accepted into the program. Applying is easy and takes just 5 minutes. Make sure you have your heating bill handy as you’ll need to enter your account number. Apply Now >>

With our new expedited CEWO application process you'll know right away if you and your home are accepted into Clean Energy Works Oregon. If you're accepted you will complete the financing application once you've signed your project bid.

No. There’s no commitment when you apply. If you’re accepted, your contractor and energy advisor will conduct your free CEWO Home Energy Assessment. Based on the results, they will present you with a custom proposal that includes a cost estimate and financing options. At that point you can decide whether to apply for financing and have your energy upgrades installed.

The loan offered by Craft3 is an additional mortgage (in the “last position” behind any other mortgages). The other loan options do not include a security interest (aka “lien”) on your residence. However, a “UCC-1” filing will be placed on the property title in the County’s real property records so that the lender is notified in the event of sale or other transfer of the real property on which the upgrades are made. At that time, any outstanding loan balance will become due and must be paid in full.

Not at this time. We've selected lending partners that understand the value of helping Oregonians like you to save energy. That's why they're committed to provide you with attractive interest rates and loan terms, while also supporting the local economy. We think you'll find that our lending partners are the perfect fit to finance your CEWO Home Energy Remodel!

It depends on your home’s unique situation. That’s why the first step is to test your home’s performance so we can pinpoint opportunities for energy savings.

Homeowners can finance up to $30,000 in energy efficiency upgrades. During the Portland pilot, homeowners financed from $2,000 to $20,000. Your energy savings can offset part of the loan payment making this more affordable than you think. It is projected that homeowners in the Portland pilot program will pay an average of $35 extra a month for a more comfortable, healthy and energy efficient home.

For more information on average projects costs visit our Rebates & Financing page and select your region.

In general, you must finance your project with one of CEWO's lending partners in order to enjoy all the benefits and Instant Rebates of Clean Energy Works Oregon. However, if your home is in the Portland metro area and your loan amount is $5,000 or less, our lending partner Craft 3 will allow you to pay cash. Projects above this amount and/or in other markets must be financed through one of CEWO's lending partners.

We've arranged attractive rates and terms that are available exclusively to homeowners participating in Clean Energy Works Oregon. Interest rates and terms vary among our lending partners so visit our financing page to learn more.

Our lending partners vary by region, but include Craft3, SOFCU Community Credit Union, Pacific Crest Federal Credit Union and Umpqua Bank. Please visit our financing page to see which lenders are available in your area.

In some regions you will have the option to choose from several lenders and loan options once you reach the "Finance" step of our 4 Easy Steps. It'll all be explained on the custom project page you'll find in the "Your Project" tab when you're accepted into Clean Energy Works Oregon.

Loan terms vary among our lending partners but can be as short as 1 year or as long as 20 years depending on the amount of your loan and the lender. Visit our financing page to learn more.

In most cases you will pay the lender directly. However, if your home is located in Clackamas, Multnomah or Washington county one of our lending partners, Craft3, allows you to repay your loan on your heating utility bill^* so there is no extra bill to pay. If you select and are approved by Craft 3, your monthly loan payment will begin to appear on your heating bill shortly after you complete your CEWO Home Energy Remodel. The total amount due on your heating bill will include this monthly payment. Your heating utility will forward the portion of your bill that is the loan payment to our lending partner.

*To participate in Clean Energy Works Oregon in these counties your home must be currently heated by Pacific Power, Portland General Electric or NW Natural Gas or you must be switching to a heating source provided by these utilities.

It depends on the size of your project. Projects have ranged from as little as $2,000 to over $20,000 with an average close to $14,000. Remember that your energy savings may offset part of your loan payment. Once you've been accepted into CEWO and receive a project bid, you can use the loan calculator on "Your Project" to estimate a monthly payment at different interest rates and terms.

You can pay off the loan as soon as you like with no penalty. Please contact the lender servicing your loan for repayment procedures. You can find contact information for your lender in the "Your Team" section on the "Your Project" page.

The process for paying down your principle varies by lender so it's best to contact the lender servicing your loan. You can find contact information for your lender in the "Your Team" section of the "Your Project" page.

Important Note: If Craft3 is your lender (formerlly Enterprise Cascadia), you can make a direct payment to Craft3. It's very important that you do not make unscheduled payments through your heating utility bill. To make a direct payment please contact Craft3 at 503-688-1700, or email ConsumerPA@sbpac.com.

In most cases we've arranged no-fee financing options for you, though there may be loan fees under some circumstances or for loans above a certain amount. For instance, if you select a secured loan, there may be appraisal, title or escrow fees. With secured loans there may also be a reconveyance fee charged by your county recorder upon payoff to release the lien from the property. Visit our financing page to access more information on each loan option offered through our local lending partners.

It's best to contact the lender directly. Please do not contact CEWO, your contractor or your heating utility with questions about your loan. You can find contact information for your lender in the "Your Team" section on "Your Project."

When your application is approved you're eligible for 2 Instant Rebates offered by Clean Energy Works Oregon totaling up to $2,000* in Clackamas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Lake, Multnomah and Washington Counties:

• A Free Home Energy Assessment worth $500
• Up to $1,500 towards you’re your total project costs

Some communities may also offer additional local rebates of $500 or $1,000.

*Instant Rebates on energy upgrades are capped at 25% of energy upgrade project costs.

Only homeowners that apply and are approved for CEWO are eligible to receive Instant Rebates. Once you are approved your free Home Energy Assessment will be scheduled.

The Instant Rebate towards work on your house is subject to some additional restrictions:

1. Instant Rebates on energy upgrades are capped at 25% of energy upgrade project costs. For example, in most counties energy upgrades that save 30% and cost $2,000 will result in an Instant Rebate of $500, while energy upgrades that save 30% and cost $8,000 or more will result in the full $2,000 Instant Rebate. In Central Oregon, energy upgrades that save 30% and cost $5,000 will result in an Instant Rebate of $1,250, while energy upgrades that save 30% and cost $12,800 or more will result in the full $3,200 Instant Rebate.
2. In Jackson and Josephine Counties there are approximately 250 Instant Rebates available.
3. Once you are presented with a bid you will have 30 days to take advantage of the Instant Rebate towards your home energy upgrades. If you do not sign your bid within 30 days your Instant Rebate will expire and may no longer be available to you.
4. Instant Rebates are only available to CEWO participants that accept a CEWO contractor’s bid and sign a loan with CEWO’s lending partner

• A “crawl through” inspection of insulation in your attic, crawlspace and just about ever other nook and cranny where energy sneaks out.
• An infrared camera to search for hot and cold spots inside walls, around windows and below baseboards
• A blower door test to depressurize your house and bring those hidden air leaks to life
• A duct blaster test to search for leakage in the duct work of forced-air heating and cooling systems
• A safety test of heating and cooling equipment, including carbon monoxide levels and combustion appliance back-drafts

No, the Energy Assessment is required for participation in our program. With a professional Home Energy Assessment there’s no guesswork. Your contractor will pinpoint how to reduce your home’s energy waste and improve your family’s comfort. It’s all spelled out for you in a custom report. And it’s the basis for your contractor and our lending partners to present an integrated cost estimate and financing options, complete with monthly payment and expected energy savings.

It sounds like you had a Home Energy Review, which is a good start but not as detailed as a Home Energy Assessment. A Home Energy Assessment goes beyond the Home Energy Review to measure the performance of your home and heating systems using advanced testing equipment. More importantly, the Home Energy Assessment is the basis for your contractor and our lending partners to prepare your customized proposal that includes a cost estimate, financing options and expected energy savings.

• attend your Home Energy Assessment with your contractor to provide education, independent 3rd party expertise, and quality control of data collection/entry
• support you through process by answerring questions about work scope, costs and cost effectiveness, loan terms, Instant Rebates and almost anything else you have a question about.
• conduct a quality assurance inspection of your contractor's work once your Home Energy Remodel is completed.

• Employ key staff that are certified by the Building Performance Institute (BPI)
• Commit to pay a family-supporting wage
• Pledge to employ highly-qualified minority and historically under-represented tradespeople.
• Agree to provide reasonable Employee Health Care

• Local Hire: At least 80% of workers are hired from within 50 miles of the project, or otherwise defined by the local community.
• Family-Supporting Wages: Workers participating in Clean Energy Works project retrofits will earn at least 180% of Oregon state minimum wage, or federal prevailing wages for residential weatherization and energy efficiency retrofit work, whichever is higher.
• Health Coverage: At the time of local launch, employees on Clean Energy Works projects will receive either a) health insurance that covers themselves or b) additional wages at not less than $2.50 per hour in lieu of health coverage. Within six months of local launch, all employees will receive health insurance that covers themselves.
• Diverse Workforce: Historically underrepresented or economically disadvantaged people will perform not less than 30% of total trades and technical project hours. People of color, women, veterans, disabled individuals and formerly incarcerated individuals are included in this definition of diverse workforce.
• Diverse Business Participation: Businesses owned by historically disadvantaged or underrepresented people will make up not less than 20% of all dollars in Clean Energy Works Oregon projects.
• Highly-Skilled Workforce: Resources for continuing education and certification are available for those coming into the industry as well as those wanting to increase their opportunities for upward mobility within the industry through registered apprenticeship and other career pathway trainings.

1. Certification by the Building Performance Institute (BPI)
2. Commitment to family-supporting jobs
3. Pledge to employ highly-qualified minority and historically under-represented tradespeople