Incentives/Other Resources

Incentives & SIP Resources

Tax & Other SIP Incentives

Incentives for sustainable building practices and energy-efficient structures continually change periodically, generally adding new ways to save money and receive rebates or tax credits. Please follow the links below to learn more about some incentives you may qualify to receive. (PSI does not apply for any of these incentives, but it is the responsibility of the project owner or contractor.)

If you plan to apply for any of these incentives, we recommend learning about the incentive in detail before commencing. Some require inspections (for an additional fee scheduled and paid by the applicant) or pre-approval. These incentives are for insulation, but many SIP homes also incorporate other items that qualify for incentives such as HVAC, windows, water heaters, solar or wind power, etc. (Last updated March 2009.)

FEDERAL TAX CREDIT: Eligible contractors may claim the $2,000 credit for new energy efficient homes that are substantially completed after August 8, 2005, and acquired by sale or lease before 2010 by another individual from that contractor during for use as a residence. The home is also required to be certified and meet certain energy saving requirements. Construction includes substantial reconstruction and rehabilitation.

The amount of the credit is based on the extent to which each new energy efficient home meets the energy saving requirements. The credit is up to $2,000 for a dwelling that is certified to have an annual level of heating and cooling energy consumption at least 50% below the annual level of heating and cooling energy consumption of a comparable dwelling unit and has a building envelope component of improvements that account for at least 1/5 of the 50% reduction in energy consumption. Application for this tax credit is made using IRS Form 8908.

Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency's (DSIRE) Website allows you to search incentives by state and includes may more local incentives offered through local goverments and utilities.

Energy Star's Website provides information about federal tax incentives for a variety of energy-efficiency practices throughout the house - not just insulation.

Energy Trust of Oregon, Inc.'s Website provides additional research resources for federal and Oregon incentives.

Oregon Department of Energy - Conservation Division has links and summaries of many programs for various aspects of the home as well as transportation incentive information.

Other SIP Research Resources

Premier Building Systems has design manuals, installation video, and a lot of other information on their website.

BOOK: Builder's Guide to Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) for All Climates by Joe Lstiburek.

BOOK: Building with Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs): Strength and Energy Efficiency Through Structural Panel Construction (For Pros by Pros) by Michael Morley.