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Program Announcement

NYHEP Trainings in Preparation for the Launch of the IRA HEAR Offering

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Programs: EmPower+
To: Participating Contractors and Hubs 
Summary: NYHEP Trainings in Preparation for the Launch of the IRA HEAR Offering
Contact with Questions: Please reach out to contractor support at 1-800-284-9069

On May 3, 2024, Program provided an overview of the upcoming Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) offering. It is expected that the funding through the early enablement section of the IRA Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) Program will be available in late May or early June; however, these dates remain tentative. If you missed the webinar, you can access it, along with a frequently asked questions document, here.  

The webinar covered the following topics: 

  • General IRA overview/estimated funding 
  • Eligibility updates 
  • Program process changes  
  • Cost effectiveness criteria 

Over the next few weeks, NYSERDA will be updating Program materials, webpages, marketing materials and the NY Home Energy Portal (NYHEP) in preparation for the launch of the IRA HEAR offering.  

NYSERDA will be providing Contractor/Hub trainings on the following dates: 

Training Webinar #1: Wed, May 22, 3-4pm

Training Webinar #2: Tue, May 28, 8:30-9:30am

In addition to the trainings, CLEAResult will host office hours in late May and throughout June to address additional questions. These dates and information on how to attend will be included in the next program announcement.  

For additional information please visit NYSERDA’s IRA website.  

NYHEP Updates

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Program: EmPower+ and REA
To: EmPower+ and REA Contractors
Summary: NYHEP Updates
Contact with Questions: If you experience any issues reaching the contractor support team by phone, please send an email to [email protected]

The following NYHEP changes will go live April 25. Knowledge Base articles with be updated to reflect these changes.

All Users:  

  • Display a warning box with a 10-minute countdown prior to automatically being logged out due to inactivity.   
  • Single sign-on enabled.  Users logged into Salesforce can also log into NYHEP without entering credentials. 
  • Search feature enhancement.  Users may use the search bar to locate a project using Enrollment Number, Reference Number, or Customer Last Name 
  • Project Acceptance Extension. System configuration aligned with extension policy announced in December 2023 
  • “Application Processor” label changed to “Community Hub” 
  • Forgot Your Password” dialog box updated to ask for “user ID”
    • Numerous back-end data exchange enhancements, other bug fixes, and performance improvements 

Reminder About Knob-and-Tube Wiring

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Program: Comfort Home
To: All Comfort Home Contractors
Summary: Reminder about knob-and-tube wiring
Contact with Questions:  1-888-406-4009 or [email protected]

  • When insulating, ensure that no insulation is in direct contact with knob-and-tube wiring.
  • Comfort Home packages require complete measure installation.  If 90% or more of attic can be air-sealed and insulated, then the project is eligible for Comfort Home.
  • A home with knob-and-tube wiring in the attic that doesn’t allow at least 90% of the attic insulation to be installed is not eligible for Comfort Home.
  • A home with knob-and-tube wiring in the walls is not eligible for Comfort Home Package B (Good Package).

Clarification of How Multi-Unit Buildings Should be Handled for Comfort Home

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Program: Comfort Home
To: All Comfort Home Contractors
Summary: Clarification of how multi-unit buildings should be handled for Comfort Home:  The number of heating systems will determine how many “projects” and how many incentives will be applicable.
Contact with Questions:  1-888-406-4009 or [email protected]

If the whole building is heated with one system, then the whole building is entered into Compass as one project: 

  • One incentive will apply for the whole building. 
  • All areas must be upgraded in order for the building to qualify for Comfort Home incentives. 
  • If package A is proposed, the entire attic must be air-sealed and insulated, even if the attic spans two units.
  • If package B with wall insulation is proposed, all above grade exterior walls must be insulated.

Multi-unit buildings that have separate space heating systems for each unit are eligible for separate Comfort Home incentives for each unit:

  • Each unit should be entered as a separate project in Compass.
  • Each project should use the conditioned floor area associated with that unit.
  • Each project should include details about the HVAC and water heating system associated with that unit. 
  • Each project should use the improved “areas” (insulation, air sealing, windows, etc.) associated with that unit.
  • Each project should use the actual attic area over the unit. 
  • Each project should use the actual basement square footage and rim joist length for the portion under the unit.
  • Each project should use the actual floor square footage for foundation ceiling if insulating the basement ceiling for the unit.
  • A second-floor unit should identify its basement/foundation as “conditioned”.
  • A first-floor unit with a second-floor unit above it should list attic insulation as “>=R38” and the grade as “<10% Voids or Compression”.

New Call System is Live 

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Programs: EmPower+
To: EmPower+ Contractors
Summary: New Call System is live 
Contact with Questions: If you experience any issues reaching the contractor support team by phone (1-800-284-9069), please send an email to [email protected] 

The EmPower+ program has implemented a new call handling system as of April 17, 2024. If you experience any issues reaching the contractor support team by phone, please send an email to [email protected].