Program Announcement

To: EmPower/AHP Contractors, REA Assessors, Stakeholders, NYSERDA and CR
Regarding Programs: EmPower New York & Assisted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR®, and Residential Energy Assessment
Summary: Implementation of a new Contractor Platform. Watch the platform overview from October 7
Contact: support.residential@nyserda.ny.gov

During the October 7 webinar, we shared an overview of the new Contractor Platform to be implemented in March 2023. This online platform is an exciting step toward our goals of more updated information, greater collaboration, and streamlined processes to make our jobs easier. If you missed the overview, watch the recording located on the contractor support site.You are a critical member of the team that will use the new system in March 2023. Be ready for the new system by watching the overview and attending an RMES demo during the December 2 webinar. If you have questions, reach out to CONTRACTOR SUPPORT: call toll-free 800-284-9069 or email support.residential@nyserda.ny.gov.

To: Participating AHP and EmPower Contractors
Regarding Programs: AHP and EmPower New York
Summary: NYSERDA will be reinstating the 120-day completion goal.
Contact: support.residential@nyserda.ny.gov; Questions can also be addressed with your account manager

In March of 2020, in response to COVID-19 and the statewide work pause, NYSERDA suspended Program project deadlines. Following the return to work, contractors still faced scheduling conflicts and supply chain issues, so NYSERDA kept the completion deadline suspension in place. NYSERDA is looking to gradually reinstate project completion deadlines to ensure projects are closed out in a timely manner. Related to this, CLEAResult has been reaching out to contractors to have them prioritize their work in progress projects and close out any old projects that won’t be moving forward.

Starting January 1, 2023, the Program will reinstate the 120-day project completion goal. Please review the following dates for Project completion submission:

• Projects started before January 1, 2022, will need to be completed by January 1, 2023.
• Projects started before January 1, 2023, will need to be completed by May 1, 2023.
• Projects started after January 1, 2023, should be completed within the 120-day period used in the past.

We understand that there may be instances where a project cannot be completed within the timeframes referenced above. Contractors should document in the project notes in Uplight if that is the case.

For any questions, please reach out to your account manager or support.residential@nyserda.ny.gov.

To: Contractors
Regarding Programs: EmPower New York & Assisted Home Performance
Summary: Monthly Contractor Check-in
Contact: hpwes@nyserda.ny.gov

NYSERDA Single Family Programs Update

Friday, November 4, 2022

8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. ET

Event number: 2593 334 4931

Event password: Energy1

All attendees must register prior to joining the event. This process will allow you to add the meeting to your calendar and provides each individual with a custom link to join the meeting. Please do not share your link with anyone. To register, click the link below:

November 4 – NYSERDA Single Family Programs Update Webinar Registration Link

All webinars are recorded and links to the recordings are available on the Contractor Support site.

To: All Residential Contractors
Regarding Programs: NYSERDA Residential Programs
Summary: The Heat Pump Planner is now a digital interactive tool

A new interactive version of the Heat Pump Planner has launched. The new version guides customer through a three question quiz to show them the heat pump system configuration that may work best for their home. Customers can compare systems, and explore an interactive “plan” of a system they are interested in learning more about. The interactive plan showcases hot spot callouts focused on the key benefits and important considerations.

Many contractors find these heat pump plans a valuable sales tool they use to educate customers before a sales visit or at the kitchen table with their customers.

Visit: cleanheat.ny.gov/planner to explore the Heat Pump Planner.

To: All Participating Contractors and Vendors
Regarding Programs: EmPower New York Contractor and Vendors, Assisted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR®, Residential Energy Audit Program, Comfort Home, Green Jobs – Green NY Residential Financing Program
Summary: New Participation Agreement and Required Application – ACTION REQUIRED!
Contact: residential.programs@nyserda.ny.gov

For EmPower Appliance Vendors

Appliance Vendors looking to provide services as an EmPower New York (EmPower NY) Appliance Vendor, must review and complete the 2022 EmPower New York Appliance Vendor Agreement (Agreement) and return to the Program at hpwes@nyserda.ny.gov.

• Existing EmPower NY Appliance Vendors – As a reminder to the email sent on September 16, 2022, your current Agreement period ends on September 30, 2022, and you must complete and return the 2022 Agreement prior to September 30, 2022, if you wish to continue participation as an Appliance Vendor. Existing Appliance Vendors who don’t complete and return the Agreement will not receive any new referrals after September 30, 2022, but they will be able to complete work assigned prior to that date. Please indicate in your submission if:
  • You want NYSERDA to continue with your previously approved models and pricing
  • You have new models and pricing – please complete and submit and updated EmPower Appliance List and return with your submission.
• New Appliance Vendors – please review and sign the 2022 EmPower New York Appliance Vendor Agreement, complete EmPower Appliance List, and submit to hpwes@nyserda.ny.gov.

For Contractors

NYSERDA is pleased to announce an enhancement to Participation Agreements for the EmPower NY, Assisted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR^®, Residential Energy Audit Program, Comfort Home, and Green Jobs – Green NY Residential Financing Programs.

There is now one Participation Agreement that is applicable to all of NYSERDA’s residential energy efficiency programs. This means one document with the terms and conditions each company is bound to for participation. Specific rules, processes and policies for each distinct program are available in each Program Manual, which continue to be separate documents. Contractors participating in multiple programs no longer need to sign and maintain separate Participation Agreements with NYSERDA.

The current Participation Agreement for the EmPower NY, Assisted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® and Comfort Home Programs expires on September 30, 2022.  Existing Contractors who don’t complete and return the Agreement will not receive any new referrals after September 30, 2022, but they will be able to complete work assigned prior to that date.

The new Participation Agreement and Contractor Application is available now and must be submitted by September 30, 2022, to ensure seamless participation in NYSERDA’s programs.

• When re-applying to these programs, make sure to select that you are a “New Applicant” on the Contractor Application
• Please select all programs you are applying for – regardless of your existing participation status

EmPower NY and Assisted Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® contractors, the Program Manual is in the process of being finalized and will be available for contractors to access during the week of September 5, 2022.

This change also opens up enrollment eligibility for Comfort Home to all contractors. If you wish to enroll in Comfort Home, review the Comfort Home Pilot Manual and make sure to select that when you submit your new application. 

For questions, please contact residential.programs@nyserda.ny.gov. Additional details regarding work in progress deadlines and system access after September 30 will be distributed soon.