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Program Announcement

Total Building Performance (TBP) Certificate of Knowledge

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To: Contractors
Regarding Programs: All
Summary: Total Building Performance (TBP) Certificate of Knowledge
Contact: Learn More & Apply to Take the Pilot Exam

 The Total Building Performance (TBP) Certificate of Knowledge, a new credential from Building Performance Institute to promote deep energy retrofits, is available now. The TBP will show that workers have the knowledge to plan, assist, and guide residential deep energy retrofit projects to reduce energy consumption by 50% or more.

The TBP covers 8 areas of knowledge needed for a deep energy retrofit. It offers a solid base of knowledge for certificate holders to develop a new line of business and establish trust with customers. The pilot exam is free to the first 500 candidates.

New York Home Energy Portal (NYHEP) Processing Times

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To: EmPower+ Participating Contractors
Regarding Programs: EmPower+
Summary: New York Home Energy Portal (NYHEP) Processing Times 8:00 PM 11/22- 11/26
Contact: Contact your Account Manager

As part of the continuing efforts to migrate historic documents/projects to the New York Home Energy Portal (NYHEP), NYSERDA will be taking advantage of the long Thanksgiving break.  Starting Wednesday, November 22 at 8:00 pm and continuing through Sunday, November 26, NYSERDA is planning a large file transfer.  During this time, the system may perform slower than usual.  We appreciate your continued support and understanding as the system is built out.   

If you have any questions, please contact your Account Manager.  

Field Change Order and Assessment Installation Form

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To: EmPower+ Participating Contractors
Regarding Programs: EmPower+
Summary: Field Change Order and Assessment Installation Form
Contact: Please contact your Account Manager

Effective January 1, 2024, the following process requirements will be in place for Field Change Orders and the Assessment Installation Form. 

Field Change Orders

For projects where the approved workscope is different than the final workscope, regardless of the dollar amount, a Field Change Order must be completed and signed by the household as affirmation they have been informed of the modification to the project. In instances where the changes are greater than $500, the Participating Contractor must receive approval from the Program. This can be a call to the account manager or through the contractor support line if the account manager is unavailable.

Assessment Installation Form

For all projects, the Assessment Installation Form must be reviewed and signed by the household. Preferably, this should occur at the time of the assessment; however, it can be signed at a later stage providing a signed copy is uploaded as part of the final project submission.

Currently, NYSERDA is working with the BPCA and Participating Contractors to review and streamline existing Program forms. NYSERDA expects this to effort be completed in early 2024 and will provide updates to the forms and requirements once available.  

Updated Income Limits

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To: EmPower+ Participating Contractors, Regional Clean Energy Hubs
Regarding Programs: EmPower+
Summary: Updated Income Limits for EmPower+
Contact: Contact your Account Manager

The income limits for EmPower+ have been updated and are effective as of November 1, 2023. These income limits are based on 2023-2024 State Median Income numbers provided by the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) and 2023 Area Median Income numbers provided by The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The updated guidelines can be found in Section 3.4 of the Program Manual and on the EmPower+ webpage.

All websites and program materials have been updated to reflect these changes.  If you have any questions about these changes, please contact your Account Manager.

OTDA HERR Benefits Increased

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To: EmPower+ Participating Contractors, Clean Energy Hubs
Regarding Programs: EmPower+ (Low-Income Eligible Households)
Summary: OTDA HERR benefit increased to $4,000 for repair and $8,000 for heating system replacement
Contact: Contact your Account Manager

Effective October 2, 2023, the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) has increased the benefit available through the Heating Equipment Repair or Replacement (HERR) Benefit to $4,000 for a repair and $8,000 for a replacement.  The HERR Benefit provides incentives for eligible low-income homeowners to repair or replace failed direct heating equipment. In addition, the maximum resource limit for HERR was increased to $10,000.

Low-Income households looking to participate in HERR, can call a Local District Contact. If it is determined the low-income household is not eligible for the HERR Benefit or if the HERR Benefit will not cover the entire cost of the system, the household may be eligible for incentives through EmPower+. Please refer to the No Heat Guidelines Section 5.9 of the Program Manual for additional information. 

If there are any questions, please contact your Account Manager.