NYSERDA Offers No Cost Energy Assessments to All New York Homeowners

One-to-Four Family Homes Are Now Eligible for No Cost Energy Audits Through New Residential Energy Audit Program

January 24, 2020

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) today announced it is providing no cost energy audits to New York State homeowners across all income levels. The offer supports the State’s mandate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s nation-leading Green New Deal which puts the State on path to a carbon-neutral economy.

Alicia Barton, President and CEO, NYSERDA said, “Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, New York is leading the country when it comes to deploying a broad-based strategy to fight climate change, and New York homeowners can help play a role by lowering the carbon footprints of their own homes. The new Residential Energy Audit program will provide homeowners with an opportunity to lower their energy costs, fight climate change, and live sustainably and comfortably in their home by making informed home energy improvement decisions.”

Effective January 1, 2020, NYSERDA began making a free home energy audit available to owners of one-to-four family homes. It includes a review of their energy bill and household consumption patterns, a report documenting the home’s current energy performance, and recommendations for improvements. Acting on audit recommendations will help homeowners save on utility bills while increasing their home’s comfort by better moderating temperature, eliminating drafts and improving air quality. PSEG Long Island customers can participate in PSEG Long Island’s audit program. Interested homeowners can visit NYSERDA’s website to find a participating contractor and schedule a home energy audit.

NYSERDA’s new and existing energy audits also enable customers to access the Green Jobs – Green New York Residential Loan Fund, provides New Yorkers with access to energy assessments, installation services, low interest financing, and pathways to training for various green-collar careers. Customers who are interested in a loan can contact a participating contractor to complete eligible energy efficiency work.

More than 130,000 homeowners have received energy audits since 2010 and NYSERDA’s new initiative will enable broader access to no-cost energy audits statewide for consumers of all income levels. In addition to the new offering, low- and moderate- income customers who are eligible for NYSERDA’s Assisted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR and EmPower New York can still receive a no cost energy audit through those existing programs and may be eligible for additional home energy improvements at reduced or no cost.

This offering supports Governor Cuomo’s New Efficiency: New York 2025 energy efficiency target to reduce energy consumption by 185 trillion BTUs below forecasted energy use in 2025 – a level of savings equivalent to fueling and powering over 1.8 million New York homes. It also helps advance the recent Order from the New York State Public Service Commission aimed at dramatically reduce energy consumption in New York and transforming the way New York residents and businesses heat and cool their homes and offices and move towards cleaner and healthier buildings and communities throughout the state.

Funding for this offer comes from the state’s 10-year, $5.3 billion Clean Energy Fund.

Public Service Commission Chair John B. Rhodes said, “Governor Cuomo’s vision of a clean energy future for New Yorkers requires more energy efficiency in more homes. These home energy assessments will give consumers the information they need to make smart investments to save energy in their homes, lower their costs, improve comfort, and help eliminate greenhouse gas emissions.”

Steve Cowell, President, E4TheFuture said, “It is critical for consumers in New York to have access to readily accessible home energy assessments to help them identify their needs to lower energy costs. The proposed changes to the approach will allow consumers to move forward with less confusion and easier access to these services and will help New York reach its aggressive new energy and climate goals.”

Sue Coakley, Executive Director, Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships said, “NYSERDA’s new no-cost simplified home energy audit is good news for all New Yorkers. Heating and cooling is the biggest energy use and cost for most households. Providing consumers with energy audit information and access to technical and financial assistance for home efficiency improvements delivers power to reduce home energy use and bills, improve comfort, and shrink carbon footprints in homes across New York.”

Anne Reynolds, Executive Director, Alliance for Clean Energy New York stated, “It’s great news that New York will now be offering a simpler home energy audit, free to all. We hope every New York homeowner uses this program – to learn how to save energy and money – for themselves, and for the planet.”

New York State's Green New Deal

Governor Cuomo's Green New Deal is the most aggressive climate and clean energy initiative in the nation, putting the state on a path to being entirely carbon-neutral across all sectors of the economy and establishing a goal to achieve a zero-carbon emissions electricity sector by 2040, faster than any other state. It builds on New York's unprecedented ramp-up of clean energy including a $2.9 billion investment in 46 large-scale renewable projects across the state, the creation of more than 150,000 jobs in New York's clean energy sector, a commitment to develop nearly 1,700 megawatts of offshore wind by 2024, and 1,700 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2012.

The recently passed Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) mandates the Green New Deal's national leading clean energy targets: nine gigawatts of offshore wind by 2035, six gigawatts of distributed solar by 2025, and three gigawatts of energy storage by 2030, while calling for an orderly and just transition to clean energy that creates jobs and continues fostering a green economy. The CLCPA also directs New York State agencies and authorities to collaborate with stakeholders to develop a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent from 1990 levels by 2050 and aim to invest 40 percent of clean energy and energy efficiency program resources to benefit disadvantaged communities.

About NYSERDA

NYSERDA, a public benefit corporation, offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise, and funding to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. NYSERDA professionals work to protect the environment and create clean-energy jobs. NYSERDA has been developing partnerships to advance innovative energy solutions in New York State since 1975. To learn more about NYSERDA’s programs and funding opportunities, visit nyserda.ny.gov or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram.