Program Resources
13 November, 2025
Utility program support continues to uplift the high-performance construction industry
Residential new construction utility programs are a reliable source of support for businesses in the high-performance home industry. While there are market disturbances resulting from ending or changing tax credits, utility programs will continue to offer incentives that promote energy-efficient equipment and building techniques.
In addition to incentives for builders, utility programs can also offer advantages to Raters and contractors. Through consulting opportunities and exposure to high-performance equipment and construction practices, Raters and contractors who incorporate these programs into their business can attract new customers and expand their expertise.
The following are a few utility programs that businesses across the Northwest can take advantage of now:
Idaho
Idaho Power: Residential New Construction Program
Available to: Builders
Participating projects must be all-electric and use heat pump technology.
There are three tiers of above-code performance tied to fixed-fee incentives, which max out for homes that are 20% or more above state energy code.
Oregon
Central Electric Cooperative New Construction Program
Available to: Builders
The more efficient the home, the higher the incentive.
Project-local program verifiers guide builders through the modeling process in the design phase.
Energy Trust of Oregon: EPS™ New Construction
Available to: Builders, Raters
Homes must achieve an energy performance score using the program’s energy modeling tool. Incentives increase the more above code a home is, with a baseline at 5% more efficient than code.
Properties can earn bonus incentives for homes that are deemed affordable, rural, or on Tribal lands.
Eugene Water & Electric Board: Residential New Construction Program
Available to: Builders
Single-family homes are eligible for incentives for appliances such as heat pumps and heat pump water heaters.
Washington
Clark Public Utilities: New Homes Performance Program
Available to: Builders, Raters
Must increase the energy efficiency of newly built homes at least 10% above current Washington State Energy Code standards.
Pacific Power: Wattsmart® Homes Program
Available to: Builders, Contractors
Three performance pathways; standalone heat pump incentive, electric heating incentive based on per kWh annual energy savings, and flat-rate incentives for building above code with electric equipment.
Puget Sound Energy: Next Level Homes
Available to: Builders, Raters
Energy Credits+ pathway incentives based on exceeding energy code and/or installing highly efficient home features.
Certified Performance pathway incentives based on ENERGY STAR® or DOE Zero Energy Ready Home certification.
Higher bonus Building Opportunity incentives are available for homes built on land owned by an income-qualified community land trust and/or properties on reservation land.
Snohomish County PUD: Green Home Rewards
Available to: Builders, Raters
Incentives are based on homes meeting either EPA ENERGY STAR certification, DOE Zero Energy Ready Home certification, or Built Green® certification programs.
Builders participating in the program can receive free marketing materials for builders, including the option to develop co-branded ENERGY STAR marketing assets.
If you’re already pursuing home certification programs, it’s worth looking into utility programs as your homes might already meet some or all of the requirements to qualify. Incentives can help offset project costs without compromising home quality or performance.
Visit the New Construction Utility Programs page on BetterBuiltNW for information on these and other utility programs. If you know of a residential new construction program from a Northwest utility that isn’t listed, please email info@betterbuiltnw.com to have it added to the website.