Qualified Contractor Network (QCN) newsletter

Washington State Department of Commerce sent this bulletin at 10/03/2025 07:00 AM PDT

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October 3, 2025

Qualified Contractor Network (QCN) newsletter

Guidehouse moves forward with Neighborly and IRA onboarding process

Last month, Guidehouse was selected as the rebate administrator for the IRA Home Energy Rebate programs. The Commerce team recently met with Guidehouse at our Olympia headquarters to plan the program as we near final U.S. Department of Energy authorization for launch.

Three key elements about the QCN:

  1. The vendor that Guidehouse will use to process rebate applications and maintain the contractor portal is Neighborly.
  2. Contractors will communicate directly with Guidehouse for anything regarding rebate applications and payments.
  3. Contractors will receive training on how to submit documentation and invoices.

More information about onboarding and training will be available in the next few weeks. We appreciate your patience as we work to move the program forward.

 

 

IRA Home Energy Rebate Program update

We can't guarantee IRA rebates will be available for the tax credits that expire on December 31, so please don't delay important home improvements if they are needed.

In the meantime, see if you qualify for the State Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates program, which is already up and running. The state Weatherization Program and Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) are available to low-income households.

 

 

QCN program updates 

We updated the QCN Program Guide to include all the additions and improvements we’ve made since the soft launch in May. We have added more guidance on subcontracting, application rejection and denial reasons, information on proper insurance documentation, and our email communications with QCN applicants. Get the October update of the QCN Program Guide (PDF).

 

Smartsheet email status updates

You might receive emails from automation@app.smartsheet.com about a document expiring, or a status update on your application. Please treat these emails as valid as we use SmartSheet to receive and process QCN applications. Please don’t reply to this email address but instead reply to qcn@commerce.wa.gov.


Contractor recruitment and outreach

Contractors

Louis Harris, Commerce Program Manager of the QCN presenting at LNI Contractor Training Day in Edmonds, WA

In September, the Commerce IRA team attended three trade meetings where we shared information about the QCN and IRA Home Energy Rebate programs. If you're a member of a contractor organization, we’d love the opportunity to present to you.

Complete our contractor support form to find out more about our presentations and how we can help you become eligible for IRA home energy projects.


General construction contractors and energy auditing

IRA homes projects

Every IRA HOMES project requires an energy assessment to identify the work needed to achieve the required energy savings. The most efficient way to do that is to become an energy auditor. You can save time and get paid to do this required work.

The following organizations can train and certify you to become an energy auditor:

  • Building Performance Institute
  • Association of Energy Engineers
  • American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers
  • Home Energy Rating System
  • Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
  • Investor Confidence Project

Before signing up with these organizations, make sure the certification or training is accepted by the QCN by checking the QCN Contractor Requirements document (PDF).


Take a one-question poll on Manual J calculation software

If you currently size heat pumps for residential homes using a Manual J load calculation, Commerce would love to hear what software you use. Please take this one-question poll to help inform IRA rebate programs.

 


Energy auditors requested

Households in the IRA HOMES program must complete a residential energy audit to project energy savings. Whether you're an independent energy auditing business or you offer energy audits as a part of your HVAC installation, Commerce wants to increase the number of energy auditors in Washington state.

Gain the expertise needed to become an energy auditor in the QCN by becoming certified as an energy auditor. Explore training and certification opportunities with the following organizations: 

  • Building Performance Institute
  • Association of Energy Engineers
  • American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers
  • Home Energy Rating System
  • Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
  • Investor Confidence Project

Before you register, confirm that the training or certification is approved by QCN by checking the QCN Contractor Requirements document.

 

Additional resources

energy auditor

Increasing women’s participation in the trades

The Washington Residential Energy Efficiency Workforce Gap Analysis highlights a critical shortage of women in residential energy efficiency trades. Hire PowHER is tackling this gap head-on by connecting contractors with skilled women entering HVAC, electrical, and building performance careers. With free training, mentorship, and recruitment support, it’s a powerful resource for building a more inclusive and capable workforce. Learn more at Get Into Energy.

 

Skill up through BetterBuilt Northwest’s live and on-demand trainings

Stay ahead of homebuyer expectations and code changes by gaining valuable insights on how to build energy-efficient, healthy, comfortable homes. You can find a full list of courses at BetterBuiltNW.

If you have any questions about the QCN, please contact us through our new support form.