NYSERDA Empower+ Program
EmPower+ program helps low- and moderate-income households save energy and money toward energy improvements made to their primary residence.
Through EmPower+, eligible New Yorkers can receive:
- No-cost comprehensive home energy assessments to pinpoint where energy and dollars are being wasted and receive a customized plan to lower energy usage.
- Incentives toward the cost of energy efficiency improvements, including air sealing, insulation, heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and electrical service and wiring upgrades.
Helping New Yorkers Save on Energy Costs
EmPower+ Program Qualifications
How the Application process Works?
How the Application process Works?
Many people throughout Central New York qualify for the EmPower+ Program. The program is open to income-eligible owners and renters. You may be eligible if any of the following apply:
- Your household income is at or below 80% of the State Median Income (SMI)
- You participate in a utility payment assistance program (such as HEAP, SNAP, or SSI)
- You live in a designated geographic priority area
How the Application process Works?
How the Application process Works?
How the Application process Works?
To determine whether you qualify for the EmPower+ Program, visit the NYSERDA website to view household income eligibility. There are several ways to apply for the program:
- Have one of our team members help you fill out and submit the necessary forms. We will walk you through everything to ensure everything is submitted correctly.
- Apply online by setting up an MyEnergy profile and then submitting program application with required documents
- Reach out to your Regional Energy Hub to assist in submitting your application and select Simply Home Performance as your contractor
Required Documents
How the Application process Works?
What Energy Efficiency Upgrades Are Available?
To apply to the EmPower+ Program, here is what you will need:
- Empower+ Application
- Income Documentation within the last 12 months; HEAP, SNAP award letter, Social Security award letter, paystubs or tax return.
- A copy of your Electric utility bill
- A copy of your gas, propane, kerosene or wood bill
- Proof of ownership
- Renters need landlord's permission and agreement signed
What Energy Efficiency Upgrades Are Available?
What Energy Efficiency Upgrades Are Available?
What Energy Efficiency Upgrades Are Available?
The EmPower+ Program provides a range of free or discounted upgrades to make your home more energy-efficient, including:
- Insulation
- Air sealing
- Programmable thermostats
- Heat pumps
- High-efficiency furnaces
- LED lighting
- Heat pump water heaters
- Smoke detectors
- Pipe wrap
- Weatherstrips
Empower+ Incentives
What Energy Efficiency Upgrades Are Available?
HEAR Funding and IRA Incentives
EmPower+ incentives are based on household income eligibility and the types of energy efficiency improvements included in a project.
- Tier 3 - Low-income, single-family households are eligible for no-cost energy efficiency improvements capped at $10,000 per project.
- Tier 1 - Moderate-income single-family households are eligible for no-cost energy efficiency improvements capped at $5,000 per project.
This funding can cover a range of upgrades, with prioritization for core energy efficiency improvements, including insulation, air sealing, and health and safety items. For homes that have air sealing and insulation completed, then we can make recommendations to upgrade heating and cooling equipment through EmPower+.
HEAR Funding and IRA Incentives
What Energy Efficiency Upgrades Are Available?
HEAR Funding and IRA Incentives
Home Electrification Appliance Rebate (HEAR) funding through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) recently expanded the incentives that income-eligible New Yorkers can receive through EmPower+ to make their homes more comfortable and energy efficient. This funding is in addition to the Empower+ incentives.
- Air sealing, insulation, and ventilation: $1,600
- Electrical service upgrade (panel box): $4,000
- Electrical wiring upgrade: $2,500
- Heat pump water heaters: $1,750
- Heat pumps: $8,000
Our goal is to maximize all of the incentives and rebates available to you. To fill any home energy upgrade funding gaps, customers can apply for low-interest financing through NYSERDA’s Residential Financing programs and explore qualifying IRA tax credits.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: NYSERDA requires geo-tagged digital photos of each project receiving incentives. These photos assist the Program by verifying onsite conditions and ensuring the approved energy efficiency improvements are installed in accordance with Program requirements.
A: EmPower+ does not provide:
- Generally roofs, whole house window replacements, whole house door replacements, extensive home repairs to address water damage or other health and safety concerns.
A: No, there is no cost or future obligation when you participate in EmPower+.
A: No—but customers can select a from a list of program contractors. Simply Home Performance is a qualified and credentialed by the Building Performance Institute (BPI). BPI set the technical standards for contractors in energy-efficient building performance.
A: Yes—EmPower+ provides energy services to anyone who owns or rents a home and meets all of the eligibility requirements. There are limited energy efficiency improvements a renter can receive without landlord/building owner consent, so it is encouraged to get the landlord involved to get a more comprehensive project completed.
A: NYSERDA ensures that heat pumps can be an affordable option for low and moderate-income households. However, to be installed through EmPower+, the house must meet certain minimum requirements. Such as insulation levels, as well as ACH (Air tightness). Natural gas customer are ineligible at this time.
A: If you have financed your energy efficiency or renewable energy improvements with a Smart Energy Loan through the Green Jobs Green NY Residential Loan program, you will remain responsible for the balance of the loan which you can either payoff with no pre-pay penalty or continue paying the monthly installments. A Smart Energy Loan is not transferrable to a new buyer.
A. No, Simply Home Performance does not offer emergency HVAC services.
A: Please don’t hesitate to call 866-NYSERDA for more information or reach out to a Regional Clean Energy Hub.