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EmPower+

EmPower+ Mass Media Approval Deadline

To: EmPower+ Participating Contractors
Summary: EmPower+ Mass Media Approval Deadline
Questions: Uthman.Aziz@nyserda.ny.gov

Historically the Home Modernization team has worked with participating contractors to advance and promote the EmPower+ program through various advertising channels. Effective October 27, 2025, no new mass media advertising (TV, radio, print, social media, etc.) specifically calling out EmPower+ or its program offerings will be approved.  Any advertising approved prior to Oct. 27, may run through existing contracted completion dates. 

Flyers or similar materials distributed by contractors to customers will continue to be reviewed by NYSERDA on a case-by-case basis by submitting copies to uthman.aziz@nyserda.ny.gov for prior approval.

KEDLI HEAT Transition to EmPower+ Webinar

To: Participating Contractors
Regarding Programs: EmPower+
Summary: KEDLI HEAT Transition to EmPower+ Webinar
Contact: Contractor Support at (800) 284-9069 or support.residential@nyserda.ny.gov

A webinar will be held on October 17, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. to share information on the transition of National Grid’s KEDLI HEAT offering to NYSERDA’s EmPower+ Program. Participating Contractors and Regional Clean Energy Hubs working in the territory are encouraged to attend.

The KEDLI HEAT program will close by December 31, 2025. Concurrently, NYSERDA’s EmPower+ program will expand to serve eligible gas customers located in KEDLI’s service territory through its standard program offering. NYSERDA will begin taking applications for Long Island gas customers in EmPower+ beginning November 1, 2025.

Register for the webinar

All webinars are recorded and links to the recordings are available on the Contractor Support site.

Program Permit Requirements

Program/s: EmPower+
To: EmPower+ Contractors
Summary: Program Permit requirements
Contact with Questions: Matthew Houle

Starting October 1st all projects with Electrical Panel Installations or electrical wiring upgrades must have a permit submitted with the project, if a permit is required by the local code office. If an inspection will be done after final project submission, a note should be added to the project indicating when the expected inspection will occur. After the inspection occurs, a photograph of the inspection sticker should be added to the project.

All other projects that require permits will need to have the permits added to the project document page in NYHEP after November 1.

The Participation Agreement that all contractors have signed to participate in NYSERDA Home Modernization programs requires contractors to follow all requirements of the local code office at all times, regardless of the dates required for permit uploads to NYHEP.

NYSERDA Home Modernization Monthly Contractor Webinar

Program/s: EmPower+, Residential Energy Assessments, Comfort Home
To: Participating Contractors
Summary: Monthly Contractor Update
Contact with Questions: residential.programs@nyserda.ny.gov

NYSERDA Home Modernization Monthly Contractor Webinar
Friday, October 3, 2025
8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. ET 

Webinar number: 2538 916 5659
Event password:  Energy1 

All attendees must register prior to joining the event. This process will allow you to add the meeting to your calendar and provides each individual with a custom link to join the meeting. Please do not share your link with anyone. To register, please click here.

All webinars are recorded and links to the recordings are available on the Contractor Support site.

No-Heat Updates

Program: EmPower+
To: EmPower+ Participating Contractors
Summary: No-Heat Updates
Contact with Questions: Support at support.residential@nyserda.ny.gov.

NYSERDA has updated the No-Heat Guidelines, found in Section 5.9 of the Program Manual, to provide guidance on the submission of No-Heat projects through EmPower+. These guidelines are effective beginning September 15, 2025, and continue through the heating season until May 31, 2026, or until funds are exhausted, whichever comes first. As a reminder, EmPower+ may only be used as a last resort option for no-heat emergencies where the homeowner has already exhausted all other public assistance options to obtain a functioning heating system.

These updates were covered in the September 5, 2025, Home Modernization Monthly meeting which can be accessed at Webinars – Contractor Support.

Below is a summary of the changes for 2025-2026.

  • The total available No-Heat EmPower+ funding for the 2025-26 heating season is $1,000,000. EmPower+ will provide a page on the contractor support site that will post updated statuses of the available funding.
  • The maximum No-Heat incentive is $6,000, regardless of heating system type.
    • If the project cost exceeds the available funding, households are encouraged to access low-interest financing through Green Jobs Green New York or work with their Clean Energy HUB to see if other funding opportunities are available in their area.
  • No heat incentives are reserved and made available to low-income households
  • Incentives are not available for rental units unless the building is owner-occupied and the building owner is income eligible.
  • Contractors and customers must complete the No-Heat Attestation Form and submit as part of the project submission paperwork.

Sections 3.1, 5.9, 5.15, and 5.19 of the Program Manual have been updated to reflect these changes.

If there are any questions, please contact Contractor Support at support.residential@nyserda.ny.gov.