Frequently asked questions

The Energy Friendly Homes Program will fund energy efficiency improvements in low-income, owner-occupied, single-family homes and offer upgrades for renters and moderate-income households. As a key initiative of the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF), the program will invest $140 million over five years in more than 3,000 single-family homes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, decrease energy usage, and improve resident stability while increasing comfort, health, and resiliency.

The Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) is a groundbreaking initiative created by Portland voters to empower communities, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and advance climate justice by working to ensure our most impacted residents are prepared for a changing climate. PCEF invests millions annually in community-led projects that cut carbon pollution, create living-wage jobs in the green economy, and build a more climate-resilient, sustainable Portland.

Households with low and moderate incomes have limited access to capital to maintain and invest in their homes. In Portland, 37% of homeowners and nearly half of all renters are housing-cost burdened. That means they spend more than 30% of their income on housing-related expenses. For many current residents living below or near the poverty line, staying in existing housing is challenging. That is especially true for homeowners or renters living in inefficient homes because of the added energy burden. The program helps housing-cost-burdened Portlanders improve the energy efficiency of their homes by directing money into upgrading single-family (1-4 unit) housing in Portland’s most impacted neighborhoods.

The Energy Friendly Homes Program, as a key initiative of the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF), is funded through a 1% surcharge on the Portland sales of large retailers with greater than $1 billion in national revenue and $500,000 in local revenue. This funding was approved by voters in 2018.

Inefficient homes and buildings account for 41% of the carbon emissions in Multnomah County. Making them more efficient reduces these emissions, which can support a healthier climate, improve air quality, and create more resilient community infrastructure. When you replace fossil fuel heating systems (like those that use natural gas) with highly efficient heat pumps, that provides even more climate benefits.

Participating contractors will complete an on-site home energy assessment and develop a project proposal designed to produce the highest energy savings and also meet the Energy Friendly Homes Program’s eligible measures criteria. Check out the Home as a System to see how these upgrades fit into your home.

Personal identifying information, such as names and addresses, are collected by program partners solely to administer and deliver services. When data is shared with the City, all identifying details are anonymized. Please see our Privacy Policy to learn more.

Participating contractors will develop a scope of work based on your home energy assessment that meets the Energy Friendly Homes Program’s minimum eligible measures criteria and is designed to prioritize upgrades that will produce the highest energy savings and fit within your budget based on your income eligibility.

Home upgrades will be completed by a program-participating home performance contractor. Participating contractors are Building Performance Institute (BPI) certified and follow building science principles. These contractors and their workforce are trained in green building practices. Clients are matched with the first available program contractor or can choose a preferred contractor from our approved list. Choosing a preferred contractor may delay the project until the contractor has availability.

No, the work must be completed by a participating contractor. Do-it-yourself projects are not eligible in the program.

There are some funding programs available to help offset the costs of upgrades that protect your home. Our team will help you understand and navigate what options may be available to you.

The homeowner will need to be present during the Energy Specialist’s walk-through to ask questions, complete the income verification, and sign the Participation Agreement if you are ready to proceed. We will try to work to accommodate your scheduling needs. For the contractor’s energy assessment and follow-up work to install the upgrades, you can coordinate a schedule with your assigned contractor that works for both of you.

Contractors will need full access to your home, including the exterior, interior, attic, basement, and crawlspaces, to complete a home energy assessment and home energy upgrade project.

For complete details on estimated project timelines and what to expect, see our Participation Guide.

Project Timeline

An average project timeline is two to four (2-4) months from walk-through to final inspection, depending on your availability, the contractor’s availability, and equipment availability.

Typically, contractors will be in your home for approximately two (2) weeks. Each project is unique, but here are the steps you can expect:

1. Eligible clients schedule a home walk-through.
2. An Energy Specialist conducts a 30-to-60-minute home walk-through to understand your needs.
4. If your home is eligible, a program-qualifying contractor will complete a full home energy assessment and create a project proposal.
5. You and our Quality Assurance Provider approve the plan.
6. Your contractor installs the upgrades.
7. After the work is complete, a Quality Assurance Provider confirms proper installation.

For the home walk-through and energy assessment, one to two people would enter your home each visit. For your home energy upgrades, the number of workers will vary depending upon the work that will be performed. If you would like, a Client Navigator is available to join and assist during parts of the process.

No, if you are eligible to participate in the program, the home walk-through and/or the contractor’s energy assessment are at no cost.

Depending on your income eligibility level upgrades will be low or no cost. For those in the moderate-income household category, the cost for upgrades will depend on your contractor’s proposal. Any cost to you will be clearly identified and discussed before any work takes place. There may be additional rebates or utility incentives to help further offset the cost of your project. Our team and your assigned contractor will help you understand and navigate what options may be available to you.

A Client Navigator can help you with translation services, assist you through the application process, and accompany the Energy Specialist and contractor during the on-site visits. Client Navigators are here to help make your experience with the process more comfortable. For income-eligible clients, your Client Navigator will be available for follow-up questions for one year after your upgrades are complete.

Client Navigators are dedicated to making sure you have a smooth process with the Energy Friendly Homes Program. To help remove any barriers, Client Navigators will provide special assistance or language support to guide you through the steps from enrollment to post-upgrade support.

Client Navigators can offer a variety of services tailored to each individual client’s needs. We are excited to provide language accessibility, including translated materials and real-time interpretation over the phone and in person. We can also help those who don’t have easy access to digital technology (like the internet) by being available to talk on the phone, provide printed materials, and meet with clients in-person at our office or client homes. Additionally, Client Navigators will act as a direct resource, available to provide one-on-one education and answer questions about the process and energy efficiency upgrades occurring in each home.

When you enter the program, we will review your specific needs to make sure you can access all parts of the program. All clients in Tier 1 will be eligible to access a Client Navigator from enrollment through one year after your energy upgrades are completed, and you can request help from a Client Navigator at any time from any program staff. Clients in Tier 2 and Tier 3 may receive access to a Client Navigator on a case-by-case basis.

If you are interested in having a Client Navigator’s help, we encourage you to ask about this during your intake and when you are scheduling your home walk-through.