Requirements

1. Rebates are only available for weatherization measures pre-authorized by Cowlitz PUD and installed by a contractor that is licensed and bonded in the State of Washington.

2. You must be an active Cowlitz PUD customer served by a residential rate. To be eligible for a rebate, your account must be in good standing. Cowlitz PUD reserves the right to withhold rebate funds and apply to past-due account balance.

3. An energy audit of the building must be completed by Cowlitz PUD prior to installation of weatherization measures.

4. Existing single-family homes, manufactured homes, and multifamily buildings are eligible.

5. Cowlitz PUD does not offer a rebate for insulation installed in garages or shops. Customers who convert a garage or shop area to a living space are required to obtain a permit from Cowlitz County Building and Planning. For this type of project, Cowlitz PUD will offer a rebate after the Certificate of Occupancy is issued by Cowlitz County Building and Planning.

6. The building must have electric heat in at least 50% of the conditioned space (living area). If the home is partially heated by oil, gas, or wood, only the portion of the home with electric heat will qualify.

7. Contractors must comply with Cowlitz PUD’s and Bonneville Power Administration’s installation and material standards and specifications. To assure program standards and specifications are met, all weatherization work must be inspected by the PUD. The contractor selected is the homeowner’s choice, and the work performed is for the homeowner. The PUD merely acts as an agent for the rebate to be provided to the contractor or homeowner.

8. Insulation and any other authorized weatherization-related work must not be installed over or under rotten or pest-infested spaces and/or building components (i.e., wall studs, joists, etc.). Any needed repair work must be done at the homeowner’s expense prior to weatherization. A routine crawl space inspection by a qualified pest inspection contractor is highly recommended by the PUD prior to weatherization.

9. Insulation measure life: The “measure life” (longevity of installed material) for insulation is 45 years. Cowlitz PUD’s willingness to pay one rebate per insulation measure at any eligible residential address in Cowlitz PUD’s service territory falls within this time frame. If a rebate is paid for an insulation measure, the home is not eligible for another payment for 45 years.

10. Weatherization Assistance Program: This program provides weatherization to income-qualifying families and is administered by the Lower Columbia Community Action Program (CAP). Qualification is based on the total gross income of the individual(s) living in the home. To qualify for weatherization assistance, Cowlitz PUD must receive status verification from CAP prior to approval of any weatherization work. Contact CAP at (360) 261-6426 for more information.

11. Program requirements and available rebates are subject to change without prior notice.

Steps to Participate

1. Call Energy Efficiency Services to determine eligibility for our program.

2. If one has not been done in the past, schedule an appointment for a PUD energy audit.

3. Request bids from contractors that are licensed and bonded in the state of Washington. We recommend getting at least two bids. You can verify that a contractor is licensed at: https://secure.lni.wa.gov/verify/. Click the “Check It Out” button for tips on selecting a contractor.

4. Call or email Energy Efficiency Services to begin the bid review process. During this process, you will select the contractor of your choice, and an Energy Efficiency staff member will authorize the rebates.

5. Authorization documents will be sent by the PUD to the homeowner(s) and contractor(s), allowing for those parties to communicate and schedule the pre-authorized weatherization work.

6. Rebates will be issued after the weatherization measure(s) pass a Cowlitz PUD inspection and any inspection required by the city or county.

Contact Cowlitz PUD Energy Efficiency Services at:
(360) 501-9514 • Toll-Free: (800) 631-1131 • Email: eeservices@cowlitzpud.org