Smart Grid Test Bed Collaboration for Business
During hot summer and cold winter days, we all use more electricity. To help keep power reliable, affordable, and sustainable, your business can enroll in PGE’s Energy Partner Smart Thermostat program. We'll install your smart thermostat to help your business use less energy and earn ongoing rewards.
How does it work?
When energy demand is highest, such as a really hot day or cold morning, PGE will announce a Peak Time Event. When the event starts, your thermostat will automatically adjust by just a few degrees, and it’ll return to its original setting once the event is over. You probably won’t even notice a difference, but it can make a big difference to your bottom line. If you don't override more than 50% of a season's event hours, we'll pay you $60 per season. And just like that, you're generating even more money for your business.
Plus, smart thermostats give you more control of your energy use, helping you save energy and money year-round.
To qualify for the Energy Partner Smart Thermostat program, you'll need a ducted electric heating or air conditioning system and have consistent internet connectivity.
Receive free smart thermostats.
Sites with existing qualified thermostats may enroll and receive a sign up bonus. Learn more about Energy Partner Smart Thermostat and enroll.
Sign up for PGE’s flexible load program to receive $50 per month per site participation incentive.
Contact a PGE Energy Expert to schedule an Energy Savings Checkup of your business.
Energy improvements, incentives and requirements
Commercial Ductless Heat Pump - new or replacement
SGTBC Incentive:
$400 per ton
Requirements:
May replace any existing heating equipment (other than electric resistance) that is non-functional or near the end of its useful life (typically 15 years or older). In these cases, existing equipment may use any fuel (including but not limited to natural gas, propane, biomass or electric).
Projects where existing equipment is functional and not at the end of its useful life, do not qualify for an incentive.
Eligible spaces are limited to office, retail, and restaurants; total conditioned space must be less than 10,000 square feet.
Spaces previously not heated or newly added spaces in an existing building are eligible.
Conditioned space served may be part of a larger building, but the space served must also be enclosed and not open to other conditioned spaces.
Product efficiencies for equipment manufactured after 1/1/2023: AHRI rated with SEER2 of at least 20 and HSPF2 greater than 9.5
Advanced Rooftop Controls (ARC) Retrofit
SGTBC Incentive:
$200 per ton
Requirements:
Existing system must have a nominal cooling capacity of at least 5 tons and must have a single speed supply fan or motor.
Existing systems equipped with a variable frequency drive (VFD) are not eligible. Existing systems with economizers do not qualify.
Installed equipment must have a VFD and controller for variable speed fan operation.
Installed equipment controls must be on BPA qualifying product list.
Business must meet annual operating hours of 2,500 except for gas heated sites, where minimum operating hours must be 3,500 hrs.
Smart Thermostat
SGTBC Incentive:
$599 per thermostat installed – Existing thermostats may still qualify
Plus $50 each month for participating in the Smart Grid Test Bed Collaborative
Requirements:
Each thermostat must control a single-zone HVAC system with dedicated supply fan.
Lodging sites, spaces with 24/7 operation, and semi-conditioned spaces are not eligible.
Multiple HVAC systems serving a large open space (retail, grocery, etc.) are eligible if each system has a dedicated controlling thermostat.
A list of qualifying thermostats can be found here.
Self-installed thermostats may be subject to a post-install verification review before payment.
The following installation requirements must be met:
Temperature setback in heating mode must be at least 10°F below the occupied heating setpoint.
Temperature setback in cooling mode must be at least 5°F above the occupied cooling setpoint.
Fan schedule set to ‘auto’ mode during unoccupied hours
Manual setpoint override must be limited to two hours or less.
If applicable:
If two or more HVAC systems serve the same open space, temperature setpoints, schedules and dead bands must match.
Heat pump with backup resistance heat must enable lock-out with appropriate temperature set-points.
If a site has existing heating systems with demand-controlled ventilation or advance rooftop controls, thermostat installers must not disable these systems.
Attic Insulation
SGTBC Incentive:
$1.28 per square foot
Requirements:
Existing insulation must be R-9 or less. Insulate to at least R-25 efficiency rating or fill cavity. Must be installed in areas of the building envelope that separate conditioned space and unconditioned space. Insulation installed between conditioned spaces is ineligible. Damaged or missing insulation must be prequalified and documented by the installation contractor.
Wall Insulation
SGTBC Incentive:
$1.61 per square foot
Requirements:
Existing insulation must be R-6 or less. Insulate to at least R-20 efficiency rating or fill cavity. Must be installed in areas of the building envelope that separate conditioned space and unconditioned space. Insulation installed between conditioned spaces is ineligible. Damaged or missing insulation must be prequalified and documented by the installation contractor.
Roof Insulation
SGTBC Incentive:
$2.85 per square foot
Requirements:
Insulate to at least R-30 efficiency rating or fill cavity. Must be installed in areas of the building envelope that separate conditioned space and unconditioned space. Insulation installed between conditioned spaces is ineligible. Existing insulation is R-5 or less.
Solar + Storage
SGTBC Incentive:
Varies by project
Requirements:
Must be installed by an Energy Trust solar trade ally. Get a free analysis and bid to learn additional requirements.
Questions? Contact PGE.