Frequently Asked Questions: EmPower+
Have questions about the EmPower+ Program? Get answers below regarding eligibility requirements, landlord involvement, working with a contractor, and more.
- What is available through EmPower+?
- Can I get paid back for work I have already performed?
- How do I know if I qualify for EmPower+?
- What are some of the energy efficiency improvement that are available through EmPower+?
- Are heat pumps available through EmPower+?
- What are some services that EmPower+ does not provide?
- Does EmPower+ provide services to renters?
- Does my landlord have to be involved?
- Does my landlord have to pay anything?
- Who will be working on my EmPower+ project?
- Can I hire my own contractor?
- Do EmPower+ contractors perform code inspections?
- If I accept improvements from EmPower+, are you going to put a lien on my home? Am I required to pay the program back if I move or my income changes?
- Who do I contact if I have more questions?
- What happens if I’ve financed a portion of my energy efficiency project and I sell my home?
- Why is the contractor taking pictures at my house?
- I was approved for moderate-income incentives, but with the March 2026 income updates I am now low-income eligible, what do I need to do to adjust my incentive amount?
- Is the 50% cost-share requirement incentive cap just for moderate-income households?
- With the new program changes the EmPower+ incentive caps are determined based upon upstate vs downstate. Where is the line from upstate to downstate?
- What current differences exist between program in upstate and downstate?
- Why were LEDs removed as an eligible measure from rental properties when only a Home Energy Assessment/Direct Install project is being completed?
- How do incentive caps work?
- Are second homes eligible?
- Will I have to pay anything?
- What is the most likely work that gets approved?
- Why am I not eligible for heat pumps if I have natural gas?
- What are the steps to the application process?
- What impacts application processing times?
- How does cost effectiveness work?
- Can I receive windows through the program?
- Can EmPower+ tell me why my electric bills go up?
- What does a home energy assessment cover?
- Where will contractors need to get to in my home? What will they be looking at / for?
- Can I apply to the Appliance Upgrade Program and EmPower+ at the same time?
Q: What is available through EmPower+ ?
A: EmPower+ provides low-to-moderate income households access to no-cost home energy assessments, which identify all weatherization opportunities in the home, no-cost direct install measures, and incentives for the installation of energy efficiency measures. NYSERDA Financing is available to apply toward the balance of the project not covered by incentives.
Q: Can I get paid back for work I have already performed?
A: No—EmPower+ cannot fund work that has already been completed.
Q: How do I know if I qualify?
A: You may be eligible if the following are true:
- If you are receiving HEAP, SNAP, Supplemental Security Income, or public assistance and can provide an award letter dated within the past year.
- Your household income is less than 80% of the Area or State Median, whichever is higher.
Q: What are some of the energy efficiency improvements that are available through EmPower+?
A: EmPower+ can provides incentives toward:
- Air sealing to reduce drafts.
- Added insulation to keep your home more comfortable.
- Installation of clean heating and cooling heat pumps.
- Everyday strategies and tips to help you manage your energy costs.
Q: Are heat pumps available through EmPower+?
A: NYSERDA ensures that heat pumps can be an affordable option for low and moderate-income households. To be installed through EmPower+, the house must meet certain minimum requirements. Please refer to Section 4.15 of the Program Manual 
for additional information.
Q: What are some services that EmPower+ does not provide?
A: EmPower+ does not provide:
- Generally significant roof repairs or replacements, whole house window replacements, whole house door replacements, extensive home repairs to address water damage or other health and safety concerns.
Q: Does EmPower+ provide services to renters?
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 building owner consent.
Q: For rental properties, does the building owner have to be involved?
A: No—EmPower+ can provide a no-cost home energy assessment and limited direct install measures services to your apartment where possible, but building owners are encouraged to participate in order to provide you with a more comprehensive project.
Q: I am a renter, does the building owner have to pay anything?
A: A building owner contribution is required for moderate income projects, or if the project exceeds program funding caps or for certain measures such as heating replacements.
Q: Who will be working on my EmPower+ project?
A: There is an entire team working to ensure that you receive the best services possible.
- NYSERDA administers the EmPower+ program.
- TRC is the implementation contractor that provides assistance to households through the application process.
- CLEAResult is the implementation contractor that provides project support to contractors and households once the application is approved.
- An approved program contractor will install the energy improvements.
- Honeywell is the quality assurance contractor that ensures energy upgrades were installed in the best possible way to save you the most energy.
- Slipstream (Formerly EFS) provides loan origination services.
- Regional Clean Energy Hubs can assist you with your project and help identify other local offerings.
Q: Can I hire my own contractor?
A: No—but customers can select a from a list of program contractors or opt to have NYSERDA assign a program contractor for their project. These contractors are qualified and credentialed by the Building Performance Institute (BPI) and other national organizations that set the technical standards for contractors in energy-efficient building performance.
Q: Do the contractors perform code inspections?
A: No—EmPower+ program contractors are not code inspectors.
Q: If I accept improvements from EmPower+, are you going to put a lien on my home? Am I required to pay the program back if I move or my income changes?
A: No, there is no cost or future obligation when you complete your project through EmPower+.
Q: Who do I contact if I have more questions?
A: Please don’t hesitate to call 866-NYSERDA for more information or reach out to a Regional Clean Energy Hub.
Q: What happens if I’ve financed a portion of my energy efficiency project and I sell my home?
A: If you have financed your energy efficiency or renewable energy improvements with an On-Bill Recovery Loan through the Green Jobs Green NY Residential Loan program, you can either pay off the loan in full prior to or at the time of sale of the property you can transfer the loan to the buyer, provided you have given written notice of the loan to the new buyer. This written notice must be provided to the buyer prior to accepting a purchase offer and must contain all of the following information: (1) notice that the property is subject to a Green Jobs-Green New York on-bill recovery charge; (2) the total amount of the original charge; (3) the payment schedule and the approximate remaining balance; (4) a description of the energy efficiency services performed, including improvements to the Property, and an explanation of the benefit of the Green Jobs-Green New York qualified energy efficiency services; and, (5) a statement concerning the collection of information which states that the purchaser agrees to authorize their utility company to provide to NYSERDA, upon request, information on their energy usage and other sources of energy used in the Property. All information collected by NYSERDA will be kept confidential and will be used exclusively for the purposes of evaluating the cost-effectiveness of the on-bill recovery program on an on-going basis.
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 pay off with no pre-pay penalty or continue paying the monthly installments. A Smart Energy Loan is not transferable to a new buyer.
Q: Why is the contractor taking pictures at my house?
A: NYSERDA requires geo-tagged digital photographs of each project receiving incentives. These photographs assist the Program by verifying onsite conditions and ensuring the approved energy efficiency improvements are installed in accordance with Program requirements.
Q. I was approved for moderate-income incentives, but with the March 2026 income updates I am now low-income eligible, what do I need to do to adjust my incentive amount?
A. Please ask your contractor to contact TRC through a case submission. If the application is less than 12 months old, TRC will verify that your income meets the new guidelines and adjust your incentive amount. TRC will reassign the case to CLEAResult who will work with your contractor for the updated incentive amount to be applied to the project.
Q. Is the 50% cost-share requirement incentive cap just for moderate-income households?
A. Yes, that is correct. A 50% project cost share is only for moderate-income households. The low-income incentive covers 100% of the project cost up to the program incentive level cap.
Q. With the new program changes the EmPower+ incentive caps are determined based upon upstate vs downstate. Where is the line from upstate to downstate?
A. For the purposes of EmPower+, counties south of and including Ulster and Dutchess are considered downstate, the remaining counties are considered upstate.
Q. What current differences exist between program in upstate and downstate?
A. Participants, regardless of where they reside in the state, are eligible for the same services through EmPower+. Currently the program uses a two-tiered standardized contractor-pricing structure for upstate and downstate to account for the cost differences in doing business in the New York City metropolitan area. To further align the project level incentive caps with the higher project costs downstate, the program is increasing the project level cap for the downstate region.
Q. Why were LEDs removed as an eligible measure from rental properties when only a Home Energy Assessment/Direct Install project is being completed?
A. Due to the increased efficiency of light bulbs in the market, the New York State Public Service Commission’s Energy Efficiency and Building Electrification (EE/BE) Order, approved in May 2025, calls for the phase out of light bulbs as an energy efficiency measure in 2027. To start this process, NYSERDA is limiting the installation to comprehensive projects where the cost of lightbulbs is 5% or less of the total project cost. Also, only incandescent lightbulbs may be replaced with LEDs.
Q. How do incentive caps work?
A. EmPower+ incentive caps represent the maximum amount of funding a project can receive. Project funding is dependent on what energy efficiency improvements are needed at the residence and if the proposed improvements meet Program eligibility rules. Some homes may not need much work and will not use the entire incentive. Other homes may need extensive work and will use the entire incentive amount. Your EmPower+ contractor can provide you with an overview of what the home needs and, once the eligible measures are approved by the program, will provide you with a breakdown of approved program incentives.
Q. Are second homes eligible?
A. No, EmPower+ provides incentives for only your primary residence.
Q. Will I have to pay anything?
A. EmPower+ provides incentives to offset the cost of energy efficiency improvements. For low-income households this is up to 100% of the cost of the energy efficiency improvements. For moderate- income households this is up to 50% of the cost of the energy efficiency improvements. For both low and moderate-income households, there are funding caps on certain improvements and on the project itself. In the event the project requires work beyond the program incentive caps or there is work required that is not eligible for EmPower+ funding, the Participating Contractor will identify any out-of-pocket costs to the customer prior to the beginning of work. NYSERDA provides low-interest financing which can assist in covering additional eligible project costs.
Q. What is the most likely work that gets approved?
A. Through EmPower+, customers receive a no-cost energy assessment that will identify potential energy efficiency upgrades for your home. Your EmPower+ contractor can work with you to select the energy efficiency measures your home needs based on the home’s existing conditions. Insulation and air sealing improvements can be approved for most homes. Approval for items such as air source heat pumps is dependent on things like your existing heating fuel type and your current insulation levels. Your EmPower+ contractor will work with the Program to see what improvements you are eligible to receive incentives for.
Why am I not eligible for heat pumps if I have natural gas?
A. NYSERDA’s EmPower+ team is working with stakeholders and other government agencies to determine the conditions when heat pumps will be an affordable solution for replacing natural gas heating equipment. EmPower+ will allow customers in certain utility regions who have natural gas heating equipment to receive heat pumps through pilot projects, including the Energy Affordability Guarantee program administered by the Department of Public Service. This will allow NYSERDA to further evaluate heat pump operational costs when replacing natural gas heating equipment.
Q. What are the steps to the application process?
- 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.
- Create a profile on the MyEnergy Portal and complete an EmPower+ Program application.
- Once the EmPower+ Application is approved you will receive an email from the program including contact information for your EmPower+ contractor.
- Your EmPower+ contractor will set up a time to perform the home energy assessment.
- Following the home energy assessment, your contractor will submit recommendations for energy improvements to EmPower+ for review.
- 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.
Q. What impacts application processing times?
A. Application processing times are dependent on many factors. If an application is submitted with all of the necessary paperwork, the application can be approved in as little as two days. Otherwise there may be additional time needed if required documents are not submitted or if the application is incomplete. In addition, the type of application can impact processing times. Online applications are the preferred method for submitting applications and these are processed faster than paper applications, which must be hand-entered into the system, which impacts approval times. Finally, the overall volume of applications received will impact processing times with greater application volumes resulting in slower approval times.
Q. How does cost effectiveness work?
A. EmPower+ relies on cost effectiveness criteria for measures as established in the New York State Technical Resources Manual. Through EmPower+, a project is considered to be cost effective if the lifetime energy dollar savings of the energy efficiency measures is higher than the installation cost, meaning the project will pay for itself with the energy saved. Certain measures, such as health and safety measures, may be required on a project, but have no associated energy savings. EmPower+ allows for these measures to be installed, even though there is no energy savings, if the project meets the cost effectiveness requirements.
Q. Can I receive windows through the program?
A. EmPower+ has limited funding for window replacements and will only replace windows that are damaged. Window replacements must be part of a whole house project that meets the programs cost effectiveness requirements.
Q. Can EmPower+ tell me why my electric bills go up?
A. There are many factors that can result in an electric bill increase, including planned rate increases, increased electric usage in the home, shifts in behavior, increased occupancy in the home, and extreme weather/temperature shifts. Review past electric bills to see if your monthly usage has increased and check for increases in electricity rates and delivery costs from month to month. An energy assessment can assist in determining the energy efficiency and condition of your home’s systems and how much energy your home uses but typically does not provide reasons for short term bill increases.
Q. What does a home energy assessment cover?
A. A home energy assessment is an evaluation of your home’s energy efficiency, comfort, and safety conducted by accredited individuals. The home energy assessment evaluates the homes existing conditions and uses diagnostic equipment to identify sources of energy wasted energy. Please refer to NYSERDA’s Complete Guide to Energy Assessments found here: https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/Featured-Stories/The-Complete-Guide-to-Home-Energy-Assessments.
Q. Where will contractors need to get to in my home? What will they be looking at / for?
A. As part of an energy assessment, the EmPower+ contractors will conduct an inspection of the home’s interior and exterior to assess sources of energy loss and potential health and safety issues, such as elevated carbon monoxide and poor ventilation. They’ll typically examine the heating and cooling systems, insulation levels, doors and windows, lighting fixtures, and other structural components that make up the building envelope. This access typically would include basement and attic spaces and interior rooms.
Q. Can I apply to the Appliance Upgrade Program and EmPower+ at the same time?
A. No, a household can only participate in one program at a time. Both programs have measures that are funded by the Inflation Reduction Act Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate (IRA HEAR) funds and for NYSERDA to be able to keep households under the $14,000 limit for IRA HEAR, a house can only be participating in one program at a time. If, for example, a customer started with an EmPower+ project first, that work must be completed before an Appliance Upgrade Program (AUP) project can take place. Following completion of the EmPower+ project, the customer can apply for AUP and NYSERDA will determine what incentive levels the household is eligible for.
Sign Up For News
Stay up to date on energy-saving programs and incentives, best practices, and more.
Stay Connected