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.

New York has made additional funding available through the Sustainable Futures Program (SFP). SFP funding is available in addition to the EmPower+ low-and moderate-income project caps listed above. The maximum incentive levels and eligible energy efficiency improvements are as follows:

• Heat Pump Water Heater: $5,000
• Air Source Heat Pump: $10,000
• Ground Source Heat Pump: $10,000
• Panel Box: $5,000
• Electrical Wiring Upgrade: $2,500

Home Electrification Appliance Rebate (HEAR) has additional 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.

Save up to $840 on energy-efficient appliances, including new clothes dryers, with rebates.

Eligibility for the HEAR incentive is based on the combination of energy efficiency improvements proposed by the contractor. The maximum incentive limits are as follows:

• Air sealing, insulation, and ventilation: $1,600

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

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