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EmPower+

Updates to QMS Inspection Checklist

Program/s: EmPower+, Appliance Upgrade (AUP) 
To: EmPower+ Participating Contractors
Summary: Updates to QMS Inspection Checklist
Contact with Questions: david.houle@nyserda.ny.gov

The EmPower+ and Appliance Upgrade Program Quality Assurance (QA) inspection checklists have been updated to include verification that electrical work requiring a permit and inspection by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) have been completed.

For example, in homes where a panel upgrade was provided the inspectors will be looking for a sticker on the new panel, indicating the equipment has been inspected. Should the AHJ inspection sticker not be affixed to the new electrical equipment at the time of the QA inspection the installing contactor or customer can provide evidence a permit was obtained and the AHJ inspection is pending.

Please note that section 5.15 of the EmPower+ Program Manual includes Permits as an enabling measure.  The updated checklist is now available on the contractor support site.

Sincerely,

The Quality and Market Standards Team

Closing date for the 2024-2025 Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement (HERR) and Clean and Tune (C&T) Components

Program/s: EmPower+ 
To: EmPower+ Participating Contractors and Hubs
Summary: Closing date for the 2024-2025 Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement (HERR) and Clean and Tune (C&T) Components
Contact with Questions: HEAP Bureau (518) 473-0332 or NYSHEAP@otda.ny.gov

NYSERDA is forwarding this communication from OTDA regarding the closing date for 2024-2025 HEAP and HERR:

The 2024-2025 Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement (HERR) and Clean and Tune (C&T) benefit components will operate through the close of business (COB), May 9, 2025. Mail-in applications postmarked on or before the closing date meet the deadline and must be processed.

In accordance with instructions found in 24-LCM-15 and the HEAP Manual, all applications for HERR and C&T benefits received after the deadline must be denied using Client Notices System (CNS) denial code M08 “HEAP HERR Denial” for HERR or M14 “HEAP Clean and Tune Denial” for C&T. When using the CNS denial codes, workers should select ‘Other’ as the reason and enter the following explanation: “Application received after program closing date.”

Section 3 – Temporary Assistance (TA) Implications

Individuals seeking help with heating equipment repair or replacement needs when HEAP HERR is not available may have their needs met under Family Assistance (FA), Safety Net Assistance (SNA), Emergency Assistance to Families (EAF) or Emergency Assistance for Adults (EAA) if they apply and are found eligible. Department Regulations 18 NYCRR 352.4, 352.6(e), 352.7(b), 372.4(b) and 397.5(h) allow social services districts (districts) to pay for the repair or replacement of essential heating equipment if the repair or replacement is essential to the health and safety of the household. For more information, see the Temporary Assistance Source Book, Chapter 16, Section C.

Section 4 – Additional Guidance to Districts

Vendors must submit final HERR and C&T bills to districts within 30 business days of services rendered, but no later than September 30, 2025.

Districts must continue to submit their HEAP Pending Case Report in eReports on a weekly basis, as outlined in 24-LCM-15.

Please share this information with alternate certifiers. Questions can be addressed with each district’s HEAP Bureau liaison.

NYSERDA Participating Contractor Heat Pump Training Series II

Program/s: EmPower+, Residential Energy Assessments, Comfort Home
To: Participating Contractors
Summary: NYSERDA Participating Contractor Heat Pump Training Series II
Contact with Questions: max.ciovacco@nyserda.ny.gov 

NYSERDA Heat Pump Training Series 
Fridays 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. ET 
To register for the series, please click here.

DateSeries #TopicPresenter
06/13/25 7Putting it all together TRC – Matt Christie

Please reach out to Contractor Support at 1-800-284-9069 with any questions

Training Videos – Installing a Cold-Climate Air Source Heat Pump

Program/s: EmPower+, Residential Energy Assessments, Comfort Home
To: Participating Contractors 
Summary: Training Videos – Installing a Cold-Climate Air Source Heat Pump
Contact with Questions: wfinfo@nyserda.ny.gov

NYSERDA is pleased to announce a new series of videos and a supplementary course created in collaboration with industry experts at Steven Winter Associates (SWA). For new learners or as a refresher, these videos demonstrate the critical steps for a top-quality installation of a cold-climate air source heat pump for good performance and happy customers.

The stand-alone videos and accompanying course take a close look at the installation of an inverter-driven cold-climate air source heat pump in a New York home, with a deeper dive course offered through the SWA Academy, free to New Yorkers. The videos in the series run two to five minutes each and can easily be viewed on a desktop or mobile device in the office or in the field and focus on the key installation steps below:

  1. Planning
  2. Installing the Indoor Unit
  3. Installing the Outdoor Unit
  4. Line Set Covers
  5. Condensate
  6. Line Sets
  7. Flare Connections
  8. Pressure Testing
  9. Evacuation
  10. Charging
  11. Electrical
  12. Startup
  13. Odds and Ends
  14. Handoff

There are two ways to watch:

Watch on the Clean Heat Connect WebsiteEnroll or Login to the SWA Academy
Watch the full video playlist in order or jump between the videos to get directly to the key installation refreshers you need.

Clean Heat Connect offers additional trainings and videos you may find helpful.		Earn CE credits and test your knowledge as you progress through the course. In addition to the 14-part video series there is a 25-minute course introduction.

The course is free to all New York State residents or those employed in the State.
Watch on Clean Heat ConnectLogin/Enroll to SWA Academy

NYHEP General Queue Management Training Session

Program/s: EmPower+ 
To: Participating Contractors 
Summary: NYHEP General Queue Management Training Session
Contact with Questions: Please contact Contractor Support with any questions on how to access the Webinar materials. 

NYSERDA is hosting a series of NYHEP training courses for Participating Contractors. These trainings will cover searching for projects, placing enrollments on hold, and techniques for general queue management. All attendees must register prior to joining the event. A recording of the training will be available on the Contractor Support website after the training.

Scheduled Dates:

Friday, May 16th at 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM EST (Register here)

Friday, May 30th at 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM EST (Register here)