Skip to content Skip to left sidebar Skip to footer

Program Announcement

Comfort Home Incentive Updates Effective 6/1/25

Program: Comfort Home
To:  All Comfort Home Participating Contractors
Summary:  Comfort Home Incentive Updates Effective 6/1/25
Contact with Questions:   Keith Bohling at [email protected]

  • After careful review of program data, customer activity, and forecasts for the remainder of 2025, NYSERDA will be adjusting the Comfort Home incentives effective June 1, 2025.
    • The Assessment Fee will increase from $200 to $300 when a blower door test is conducted as part of the assessment. If a blower door test is not completed due to an active fireplace or hazardous materials, the Assessment Fee is $200.
    • The Package A incentive will increase from $1,600 to $2,500.
    • The Package C incentive will decrease from $4,000 to $2,000.

The new incentives will apply for assessments and installations submitted for approval on or after June 1, 2025.  The 30-day prompt submission policy applies.  The customer-signed workscope must match the incentives.

Example:

May 10: Customer signs workscope with $1,600 Package A incentive
June 2: Upgrade installed
June 10: Installation submitted in NYHEP

This job qualifies for the higher Package A incentive!  This installation needs to have a revised work scope customer contract that shows the higher incentive and must be signed by the homeowner and submitted in NYHEP.

After careful review of program activity, current market incentives, and to continue to focus the program’s support on load reduction work, NYSERDA will no longer provide a Comfort Home heat pump incentive effective June 1, 2025.  Heat pump projects submitted by 5:00pm EDT on May 31 will be eligible for current incentives.  Starting June 1, 2025, Comfort Home heat pump projects will not be available in NYHEP.   Heat pump projects submitted by 5pm EDT on May 31 will be reviewed and the incentive paid if all program requirements have been met.

Service or PackageCurrent IncentiveNEW Incentive (6/1/25)
Assessment$200$300 (with blower door tests)
$200 (without blower door tests)
Package A: Attic/Rim Joist$1,600$2,500
Package B: Walls$3,000$3,000
Package C: Windows$4,000$2,000
Comfort Home Westchester Incentive*$1,000$1,000
Heat Pump Referral Incentive$1,000 to $2,000Not Available

* Only applies for Comfort Home projects in Westchester County that don’t qualify for ConEd’s Weather Ready Program

Launching of Quality Home Contractor

Program: EmPower+
To: EmPower+ Contractors
Summary: Launching of Quality Home Contractor
Contact with Questions:  Amy Kasson-Muzio

Dear Stakeholders,

To help New Yorkers during their contractor research and selection process, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has developed a designation that recognizes EmPower+ contractors who consistently meet high standards of quality.

In early January 2025, NYSERDA’s Quality and Market Standards, QMS, team along with assistance from the EmPower+ Program team reviewed all contractor project activity during the previous calendar year. All active full status EmPower+ contractors who have completed at least 12 full comprehensive projects within the past calendar year and have an average field inspection QA score of 4.0 (no rounding up) or greater in-field inspections performed within the past calendar year and must not have been on any disciplinary action, either probation or suspension, within the past calendar year, are eligible.

We are proud to announce that designated Quality Home Contractors were responsible for 70% of all statewide projects in 2024. The QMS team extends a sincere thanks to all participating contractors for their dedication to high standards and continued support of a cleaner, more sustainable New York. 

Didn’t earn the QHC designation this year? Make 2025 your company’s comeback!  Connect with the QMS team to schedule a meeting, the QMS team is ready to support your organization’s success every step of the way. Reach out to [email protected] with the subject line QHC 2025 to set up a meeting.

Have a Quality Day!   

Sincerely,

The Quality and Market Standards Team  

Income Documentation Access

Program: EmPower+ 
To: EmPower+ Participating Contractors and Hubs
Summary: Income Documentation Access
Contact with Questions: Contract support at (800) 284 – 9069 or email at [email protected] 

As part of NYSERDA’s continued efforts to be good stewards of Personal, Private or Sensitive Information (PPSI), NYSERDA will further restrict access of Income, Categorical and Other Documents used to determine eligibility and submitted as part of the EmPower+ Application process.  Beginning the week of April 21, access to these documents will vary based on the individual that submitted the application and their role required to view the information. Generally:

  • Participating Contractors, Clean Energy Hubs, and other partners who submit application documents on behalf of a customer will have access to documentation uploaded to the Income, Categorical, and Other Documents sections up through the application review and approval process.  Once the application review is complete, access to these documents will be restricted. 
  • Access to documentation uploaded to the Income, Categorical, and Other Documents sections for applications submitted directly by individual customers will be restricted to only NYSERDA and program implementation staff. 

If you have any questions, please contact Contractor Support at 800-284-9069 or email at [email protected]. 

Request for Contractors to Fill Out a Brief Survey

Program/s: Supply Chain 
To: Residential Contractors 
Summary: Request for contractors to fill out a brief survey 
Contact with Questions: Lucinda Gilman 

We want your opinion

We’re starting up a new program to match trades contractors with business consultants who can help you grow.  We have several options for a program name and we’d love to get your opinions.  Could you please take our quick 4-question survey?

https://nyserda.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4OMUHVuiWsjPJ0G

Project Completion Timeline to 90 days

Program: EmPower+ 
To: EmPower+ Participating Contractors  
Summary: Project Completion Timeline to 90 Days
Contact with Questions: Contract support at (800) 284 – 9069 or email at [email protected]  

With the implementation of the Provisional Approval work step, NYSERDA is revising the timeline for the expected completion of EmPower+ projects. Currently, contractors are expected to complete a project within 120 days from the workscope submission step. Effective immediately, contractors are expected to complete projects within 90 days following notification of the final work scope submission stage in NYHEP. Section 5.21 of the Program Manual has been updated to reflect this change.

If there are any questions, please Contract support at (800) 284 – 9069 or email at [email protected].