Skip to content Skip to left sidebar Skip to footer

Program Announcement

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)

Comfort Home New York Home Energy Portal (NYHEP) Introduction and Training Session Materials

Program/s: Comfort Home 
To: Participating Contractors 
Summary: Comfort Home New York Home Energy Portal (NYHEP) Introduction and Training Session Materials
Contact with Questions: Please contact Contractor Support with any questions on how to access the Webinar materials. 

NYSERDA recently completed a series of Comfort Home training courses for Participating Contractors as the Program migrated to the NYHEP Portal. The webinar recording and slides are now available on the Contractor Support website and the Comfort Home SharePoint.

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 Keith.bohling@nyserda.ny.gov

  • 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 inspections@nyserda.ny.gov with the subject line QHC 2025 to set up a meeting.

Have a Quality Day!   

Sincerely,

The Quality and Market Standards Team