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EmPower+

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.

Reduced Program Staff Hours on September 17th

To: Participating Contractors
Regarding Programs: Comfort Home, EmPower+, REA
Summary: Reduced Program Staff Hours on September 17th
Contact: Contractor Support at (800) 284-9069 or support.residential@nyserda.ny.gov

On September 17th, CLEAResult will have reduced staffing between 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM. This may result in minor delays in processing, and increased hold times on the Contractor Support line. Please continue to contact Contractor Support at (800) 284-9069 for non-urgent matters, and requests will be handled or returned in the order they are received. Participating contractors working in the field that need emergency approvals may contact Peter Hoke via phone at 518-409-5938.

QMS Nonconformance Training

Program/s: Quality & Market Standards, Empower+
To: EmPower+ Contractors
Summary: QMS Nonconformance Training
Contact with Questions:  inspections@nyserda.ny.gov

Details: Training will be delivered live via webinar for the contractor network and will also be recorded for future reference. The recorded sessions will be divided into short, three- to five-minute modules that contractors can use for training or as a quick reference in the field.

Two presentations will be provided: The October training covered fire hazards and the November training will focus on indoor air quality. Each session will run about 25 minutes and will be held during the NYSERDA Home Modernization Monthly Contractor Webinar, typically on the first Friday of each month at 8:30 a.m. ET.

The upcoming sessions is scheduled for November 7, 2025 as part of the NYSERDA Home Modernization Monthly Contractor Webinar.

Additional “Don’t Be Left Exposed” – Spray Foam Training

Program/s: EmPower+
To: EmPower+ Contractors
Summary: Additional Don’t Be Left Exposed – Spray Foam Training
Contact with Questions: Matthew Houle

Details: Numerous contractors have contacted Program staff regarding the need for an additional Don’t Be Left Exposed training. NYSERDA has scheduled one last live training for September 26th, Part 1 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. and Part 2 10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. ET. This training is required for all spray foam contractors as part of the certification requirements.

Please see links below to register for the training. The record version of the training will be added to the program manual soon.

Part 1 https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/1852496123200937822
Part 2 https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/9142122975425646682

Reminder of Required Spray Foam Training-Due October 2025

Program: EmPower+ and Comfort Home
To: EmPower+ and Comfort Home Participating Contractors
Summary: Reminder of Required Spray Foam Training-Due October 2025
Contact with Questions: Contract Support at (800) 284-9069 or email at support.residential@nyserda.ny.gov

This is a reminder for Participating Contractors installing spray foam through EmPower+ or Comfort Home. NYSERDA is requiring training for individuals working on spray foam projects to be completed no later than October 1, 2025. A list of the required training for Field Employees, Applicators, Crew Leaders, and Auditors can be found on the contractor support site.

Contractors are required to keep documentation of the trainings, including the training title, staff names, and dates the training was completed.

Contractors will need to submit a signed attestation verifying their company meets the new training requirements. Once completed, contractors may submit the attestation form to support.residential@nyserda.ny.gov.

Information on the Spray Foam Training Requirements was provided as part of the November 1, 2024, Contractor Check-in Webinar, which was recorded.

If you have any questions, please contact Contractor Support at 800- 284–9069 or email at support.residential@nyserda.ny.gov.