Overview and Eligibility

The New York Green Residential Building Program (GRBP) offers incentives to building owners who can demonstrate the building meets the program requirements. The building owner is the person who holds title to the residential building on the date the Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Completion is issued. For the purpose of this program, the owner may be the builder, the homeowner, a housing authority or other such organization.

What are the incentives available?

Incentives offered range from $5,125 for a single-family home up to $13,375 for an 11-unit multifamily building. Incentives are awarded based on the number of dwelling units in the building, but cannot exceed $3.75 per qualified occupied square foot. Incentives are available on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are committed, or until October 31, 2013. Owners may not receive more than $120,000 in any calendar year through the GRBP.

Is my home or building eligible?

To be eligible, a building owner must show that a residential building:

• Has at least one but fewer than 12-dwelling units.
• Is built or permanently sited in New York State.
• Has received a Certificate of Occupancy for a newly constructed building, or Certificate of Completion or equivalent document for a substantially renovated existing building, on or after January 1, 2010, but before October 31, 2013.
• If a substantially renovated project, insulation and air-sealing measures must have been completed (as shown by a completed ENERGY STAR^® Thermal Bypass Inspection checklist) and two of the three major building systems (plumbing, electrical, or HVAC) have been replaced and upgraded.

If the building is eligible for the program, the owner must demonstrate to NYSERDA that the building meets all GRBP requirements by showing that:

• The building has been certified to the Silver level or higher, using the National Green Building Standard or either the LEED for Homes or LEED for New Construction Rating Systems.
• A combination of installed energy-efficient lighting and appliances will achieve at least 500 kWh of annual electric saving per dwelling unit.
• All combustion appliances have been tested for operational safety.
• Low-rise (three stories or fewer) residential buildings with four or fewer dwelling units must also meet additional energy efficiency and performance requirements.