Renters and 2-4 Family Households

Through EmPower+, both income-eligible owners and renters of one- to four-family homes are eligible for project incentives.

For a project to receive core energy efficiency improvements, rental properties must have approval from the building owner for work to proceed. For two- to four-family properties, if 50% or more of the units are income-eligible for EmPower+ (either low- or moderate-income), then the entire building is considered income-eligible.

Available Incentives

Rental and two- to four-family units can receive:

• No-cost home energy assessment
• No-cost measures installed at the time of the home energy assessment
• Funding toward the cost of energy efficiency improvements, including air sealing, insulation, heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and electrical service and wiring upgrades.

Incentive amounts are based on income eligibility, the types of energy efficiency improvements, and the number of units in a building.

Low-Income Units

Includes units with a combined income less than or equal to 60% of the State or Area Median Income, whichever is greater, can receive up to 100% of the cost of eligible measures.

• For single-family rental properties, the project funding cap is as follows:
  • Upstate- $12,000 per project
  • Downstate-$14,000 per project
• For 2-4 family rental units, project funding caps are as follows:
  • Upstate- $12,000 for the initial unit and $6,000 for each additional income eligible unit.
  • Downstate-$14,000 for the initial unit and $7,000 for each additional income eligible unit.

Moderate-Income Units

Include units with incomes less than or equal to 80% of the State or Area Median Income, whichever is greater, can receive up to 50% of the cost of the eligible measures.

• For single-family rental properties, the project funding cap is as follows:
  • Upstate- $6,000 per project.
  • Downstate-$7,000 per project
• For 2-4 family rental units, project funding caps are as follows: 
  • Upstate- $6,000 for the initial unit and $3,000 for each additional income eligible unit.
  • Downstate- $7,000 for the initial unit and $3,500 for each additional income eligible unit.

Home Electrification Appliance Rebate (HEAR) funding expanded the incentives that income-eligible New Yorkers can receive through EmPower+ program 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 through EmPower+ 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

Additionally, Regional Clean Energy Hubs can provide hands-on assistance applying to EmPower+, and navigating home energy upgrades.