EmPower+

Available Incentives and Energy Efficiency Improvements

EmPower+ incentives are based on household income eligibility and the types of energy efficiency improvements included in a project.

• Low-income, single-family households are eligible for no-cost energy efficiency improvements capped at $12,000 per project for upstate customers and $14,000 per project for downstate customers.
• Moderate-income single-family households are eligible for an incentive covering 50% of the cost of the energy efficiency improvements capped at $6,000 per project for upstate customers and $7,000 for downstate customers.

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, contractors can make recommendations to upgrade heating and cooling equipment through EmPower+.

Home Electrification Appliance Rebate (HEAR) 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 incentive amounts listed above.

The total HEAR incentive amount a household is eligible to receive is based on the combination of energy efficiency improvements. The maximum incentive limits per improvement are as follows:

• Air sealing, insulation, and ventilation: $1,600 
• Electrical service upgrade (panel box): $4,000 
• Electrical wiring upgrade: $2,500
• Heat pumps: $8,000

EmPower+ contractors can help determine necessary improvements and what households are eligible for during the home energy assessment and prior to starting the project.

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.

How it works

1. When applying to EmPower+, it’s easiest and fastest to gather the required documents you’ll need for your application before getting started. Once you have the necessary documents you can begin the application process.
2. Create a profile on the MyEnergy Portal and complete an EmPower+ Program application.
3. Once the EmPower+Application is approved you will receive an email from the program including contact information for your EmPower+ contractor.
4. Your EmPower+ contractor will set up at time to perform the home energy assessment.
5. Following the home energy assessment, your contractor will submit recommendations for energy improvements to EmPower+ for review.
6. Upon approval of an EmPower+ project, the contractor will provide you with an overview of approved incentive amounts and schedule a time to perform the energy efficiency improvements.

Setting up a MyEnergy profile and applying online is the fastest way to apply for a no-cost home energy assessment and incentives. Once you set up your profile you can save your in-progress application, submit your application and supporting documents for review, and check on your application status. The application portal includes on-screen instructions on how to apply. Alternatively, you can access the EmPower+ Program by downloading a printable version of the application (PDF) to mail to us.